Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa govt drops no-confidence motion against outgoing CM

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has abandoned plans to initiate a no-confidence motion against outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur following the confirmation of his resignation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor’s House, reports 24brussels.

The Governor’s House confirmed that Gandapur’s resignation was formally received at 2:30 PM on October 12, 2025. A meeting with constitutional experts at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat concluded that proceeding with the no-confidence motion was not viable, as Gandapur had already resigned. Assembly Secretariat sources indicated that such a motion cannot be introduced after a resignation has been submitted.

If the PTI were to table a motion, the opposition retains the option to challenge it in court. Gandapur had announced on October 11 his intention to resign, following directives from PTI founder Imran Khan to appoint MPA Sohail Afridi as his successor. “The role of the chief minister was Imran Khan Sahib’s amaanat (entrustment), and as per his order, I am returning his amaanat and submitting my resignation,” Gandapur posted on his official Facebook account.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram confirmed the news on X, stating, “Ali Amin Gandapur has resigned as per Imran Khan’s directive.” Shortly after Gandapur’s statement, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja announced that MPA Sohail Afridi had been appointed to take over as chief minister, again reiterating that this decision was made by Imran Khan.

During a media briefing, Raja expressed concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He remarked, “There have been record incidents this year […] the lives lost and martyrdoms so far, there is no example found of this,” reflecting Imran Khan’s distress over recent events, including a notable incident in Orakzai.

The political dynamics within PTI have been tumultuous, especially following a public argument between Gandapur and Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, where allegations were exchanged regarding party divisions. Gandapur accused Aleema of destabilizing the party, while she claimed he misrepresented her intentions to Imran Khan. Tensions were already apparent when Gandapur passed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget in June without consulting Khan, further deepening rifts within the party.