Who Is Sohail Afridi, the Man Tipped to Be KP’s Next CM?

News Desk

Peshawar: In a major political shake-up in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to remove Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur from office and nominate Provincial Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi as his successor.

Confirming the development, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said, “It is true that Ali Amin Gandapur is being removed from the chief ministership. Sohail Afridi has been nominated as the new chief minister of KP following a decision by the PTI founder.”

The move comes after months of internal disputes and growing tensions within the PTI leadership. According to party insiders, the ongoing conflict between Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and Chief Minister Gandapur had reached a tipping point, prompting the leadership to initiate a change at the provincial level.

Afridi Responds to Reports

However, Muhammad Sohail Afridi said he had not received any official communication regarding his nomination. “I have also received the news from the media that I have been nominated for the post of chief minister of KP,” Afridi told reporters. “I have not been informed by the party leadership, nor do I have any knowledge of a change in the chief ministership.”

Afridi expressed full confidence in the leadership of Ali Amin Gandapur, saying the province was moving toward improvement under his guidance. “Reports of a leadership change are false and baseless,” he added.

Who Is Sohail Afridi?

Hailing from the Shalobar tribe of the Khyber district, Sohail Afridi comes from a middle-class background and has long been associated with PTI. A former provincial president of the Insaf Student Federation (ISF), Afridi began his political journey during his student years and has maintained close ties with the party’s founding leadership.

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He entered mainstream politics in February 2024, winning a seat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from constituency PK-70 (Khyber-II) as an independent candidate before formally joining PTI.

Initially appointed as the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Communications and Works (C&W), Afridi was later promoted to a full ministerial position and given charge of the Higher Education Department following a cabinet reshuffle.

A Rising Star in PTI Ranks

Known as one of PTI’s younger and reform-oriented leaders, Afridi has earned recognition for his strong grassroots connections and active engagement with his constituency. His growing profile within the party and reputation for administrative efficiency have made him a key political figure in KP’s emerging leadership.

Despite speculation surrounding his possible elevation, Afridi has maintained a cautious stance, emphasizing loyalty to party leadership. “Under Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s leadership, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is moving in the right direction. Our government remains committed to progress and stability in the province,” he reiterated.