Sohail Afridi Sworn in as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM

DID Press: Sohail Afridi took oath on Wednesday as the 30th Chief Minister (CM) of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, ending weeks of political deadlock and tension.

The oath ceremony was administered by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, marking the conclusion of a contentious leadership dispute within the provincial assembly.

According to Pakistani media reports, Afridi assumed the post with the backing of Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Party sources said Khan had instructed PTI lawmakers to support Afridi’s appointment and authorized him to form the new provincial cabinet.

Discussions between Afridi and the party’s central leadership over cabinet appointments are already underway.

Afridi succeeds Ali Amin Gandapur, whose resignation had triggered a legal controversy after Governor Kundi rejected two conflicting letters of resignation and summoned him for clarification on October 15.

With Afridi’s swearing-in, the province’s recent political impasse has entered a new phase, and cabinet formation is expected in the coming days.