PTI leaders barred from entertaining any move to replace Afridi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Thursday barred party leaders from entertaining any move to replace Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, declaring his position secure under the backing of jailed party founder Imran Khan and prohibiting meetings or proposals aimed at his removal.

The directive leaves little room for internal manoeuvring, barring PTI leaders and office-bearers from convening meetings, proposing candidates or initiating discussions aimed at changing the provincial chief executive.

According to the notification issued by Gohar, Afridi will remain chief minister with the confidence and support of Imran Khan, whose decision on the matter is described as final and binding on all party members.

“Sohail Afridi is, and will remain, PTI’s chief minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the notification states.

The order explicitly prohibits meetings called to discuss the nomination or replacement of the chief minister.

Party leaders and office-bearers have also been barred from placing any proposal concerning a change in the provincial leadership on the agenda.

The notification further makes clear that no one other than Imran Khan has the authority to nominate an alternative chief minister or reverse the decision.

By formally reaffirming Afridi’s position, the PTI chairman has sought to close off any organisational route for a leadership change without the founder’s approval.

The directive also instructs all party members and office-bearers to comply with its terms.

The move places Khan’s authority at the centre of any future decision on the KP government’s leadership, with the party’s elected representatives and organisational officials explicitly denied the latitude to initiate a change on their own.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026