PTI Moves Peshawar High Court, Urges Immediate Oath-Taking of KP CM-elect Sohail Afridi
PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja issued a strong warning on Monday, stating that the oath-taking ceremony of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s newly elected Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi should not be delayed beyond October 14.
Raja, accompanied by other PTI leaders, arrived at the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to file a petition demanding the immediate swearing-in of Afridi as the new chief executive of the province. Afridi was elected earlier in the day, despite a boycott by opposition parties, and is set to replace Ali Amin Gandapur as the KP CM.
Controversy Surrounds CM Election Amid Governor’s Objections
The election process has been clouded by controversy, as KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi rejected the resignation of outgoing CM Gandapur on the grounds of objections regarding the authenticity of the resignation’s signature. Gandapur had stepped down from his position on October 8 following directives from Imran Khan, the imprisoned PTI founder.
Speaking to reporters outside the PHC, Raja stressed that it was crucial to administer the oath to the newly elected CM without further delay. He emphasized that the provincial government could not function without a chief minister in place.
“Under the constitution, the chief justice can nominate anyone to administer the oath,” Raja said, adding that the PHC chief justice should step in to ensure Afridi’s swearing-in happens promptly. He also noted that the PTI had informed the governor that the oath-taking ceremony was scheduled for October 13, but the governor’s objections on October 12 had further delayed the process.
Political Dynamics in the KP Assembly
During the voting session in the KP Assembly earlier on Monday, Sohail Afridi secured 90 votes, while opposition figures from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) received no votes at all, as their members staged a walkout in protest.
Afridi’s nomination as CM has sparked significant reactions from the federal government, which has criticized PTI for allegedly showing leniency towards terrorist sympathizers.
Court Adjourns Hearing, Seeks Report from Attorney General
The PHC, after hearing PTI’s petition, adjourned the proceedings until tomorrow and asked for a report from the Attorney General regarding the matter. Raja expressed frustration, accusing the KP Governor of intentionally delaying the oath-taking process.
With tensions rising and the province in need of a functional government, the court’s decision in the coming days could significantly impact the political landscape in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
