Imran Khan’s decision final: PTI warns members against replacing Sohail Afridi

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reaffirmed its support for Sohail Afridi as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister ruling out any change in provincial leadership without the approval of party founder Imran Khan.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reaffirmed its support for Sohail Afridi as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister ruling out any change in provincial leadership without the approval of party founder Imran Khan.

In a notification issued on Thursday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that Afridi would continue in the role. The directive comes amid reports of internal disagreements within the party over provincial leadership and political strategy.

Gohar instructed party members, office-bearers, parliamentarians and other officials not to arrange or attend meetings, introduce agendas or initiate discussions about replacing the chief minister. They were also barred from considering alternative candidates for the position.

The notification made it clear that the authority to nominate another candidate or reverse the existing decision rested solely with Imran Khan. It added that his decisions on the matter would be binding on all party members.

The development follows heightened political tensions in K-P after emergency measures and governor’s rule were declared on October 11 following the failure of talks between the government and opposition. Reports also emerged that Afridi had been taken into custody as PTI’s long march moved towards Swabi.

Separately, a Peshawar anti-terrorism court issued arrest warrants for Afridi and other PTI leaders in connection with a May 9 attack case.

Internal differences have also become increasingly public. Former K-P chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja recently exchanged criticism over party divisions, provincial leadership and political decision-making.

Raja raised concerns about what he described as attempts by undemocratic decision-makers to weaken internal consensus. Gandapur, in response demanded evidence for the allegations and called for an apology. He also disputed claims that provincial lawmakers were trying to choose the next chief minister without Imran Khan’s or the party’s political committee’s approval.

Earlier, on October 24, Gohar announced that PTI’s provincial organisation would continue under Junaid Akbar. The party also assigned Senator Noorul Haq Qadri responsibility for chairing provincial cabinet meetings in Akbar’s absence with General Secretary Ali Asghar taking over if Qadri was unavailable.

The latest directive signals PTI leadership’s attempt to reinforce Imran Khan’s authority and prevent further disputes over the party’s leadership in K-P.