PESHAWAR: The political landscape in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has intensified ahead of today’s crucial K-P chief minister (CM) election, with four candidates — including PTI-backed Sohail Afridi and three opposition contenders — filing their nomination papers as the province prepares to elect a new leader of the house following the resignation of Ali Amin Gandapur.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to Elect New Chief Minister today After Gandapur’s Resignation
Highlights
- Four candidates filed nomination papers for the K-P CM election scheduled for today.
- PTI backs Sohail Afridi as its nominee for the top provincial post.
- Opposition fields Maulana Lutfur Rehman (JUI), Sardar Shah Jehan(PMLN), and Arbab Zarak(PPPP).
- Opposition parties expected to announce a joint candidate before the session.
- PTI-backed independents hold a commanding majority in the K-P Assembly.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly is right now convening the scheduled elections to elect the new chief minister. The nomination process concluded Sunday afternoon, with scrutiny carried out by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, who declared all four nomination papers valid.
Four Candidates Officially in the Race
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has formally nominated Sohail Afridi as its candidate for the K-P chief ministership. On the opposition side, Maulana Lutfur Rehman of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), Sardar Shah Jehan of PML-N, and Arbab Zarak of PPP have entered the contest.
Afridi submitted his papers to the assembly secretary in the presence of Speaker Swati, Deputy Speaker Surayya Bibi, and senior government members. Meanwhile, the three opposition candidates submitted their nominations jointly, accompanied by former CM Akram Khan Durrani and other opposition legislators.
The deadline for submission was 3 pm on Sunday. Sources indicated that Maulana Lutfur Rehman is likely to become the joint opposition candidate, though Sardar Shah Jehan’s name is still under discussion.
Opposition Weighs Joint Strategy Ahead of Vote
Maulana Lutfur Rehman, brother of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, is considered the strongest opposition candidate. He served as Leader of the Opposition in the previous K-P Assembly.
Although three opposition candidates have filed papers, it is widely expected that two will withdraw before Monday’s session, allowing the opposition to rally behind a single nominee. A final decision is expected during a joint opposition meeting prior to the vote.
K-P Assembly Numbers Strongly Favour PTI-Backed Bloc
The K-P Assembly has 145 members, and PTI-backed independents currently dominate, giving the party a clear numerical edge in the upcoming election.
- 92 independent members aligned with PTI form the largest bloc.
- JUI-F and PML-N each hold 18 seats.
- PPP has 10 members, ANP holds 4, and PTI Parliamentarians (PTI-P) — the splinter group — has 3 seats.
This distribution positions PTI and its allies to secure the chief ministership comfortably, barring any last-minute political shifts.
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