Kamran Ali
Correspondent Nukta
Kamran Ali, a seasoned journalist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, has a decade of experience covering terrorism, human rights, politics, economy, climate change, culture, and sports. With an MS in Media Studies, he has worked across print, radio, TV, and digital media, producing investigative reports and co-hosting shows that highlight critical issues.
PTI's Sohail Afridi signing nomination paper.
KP government
Four contenders have entered the race for the top post in Pakistan’s northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after the country’s main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), nominated provincial lawmaker Sohail Afridi to replace outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
According to the KP Assembly Secretariat, nomination papers for the chief minister’s slot were submitted by four candidates on Sunday: Maulana Lutfur Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl), Arbab Zarak of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sardar Shahjehan of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Afridi representing the PTI.
The province, bordering Afghanistan, has been a PTI stronghold for over a decade, but recent rifts within the party have prompted leadership changes at the provincial level.
Rehman, who leads the religious JUI-F party in the province, described the election process as “unconstitutional.” He argued that the move to elect a new chief minister began before the governor had formally accepted Gandapur’s resignation.
“We should have waited for official approval before initiating the election process,” Rehman said, warning that the matter could be challenged in court.
JUI-F's Maulana Lutfur Rehman and PPP's Arbab Zarak submitting nomination papers. Nukta
Despite his objections, Rehman said the opposition decided to submit nomination papers to maintain its political presence in the process. “The parties asked me to file my papers so I may become the joint opposition candidate once others withdraw,” he told reporters.
Under the KP Assembly’s Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 2025, a candidate can withdraw their nomination before the voting begins by submitting a written request to the Speaker.
Afridi, PTI’s nominee, dismissed accusations linking him to militant groups — a sensitive issue in KP, which has long struggled with militancy and cross-border violence.
“We have been accused in terrorism cases and branded as terrorists, while those making these allegations themselves maintained ties with militants,” Afridi said. “I will present my policy in the provincial assembly after being elected.”
The KP Assembly is set to convene on Monday to elect the new chief minister. PTI claims it holds a clear majority and has been lobbying other parliamentary parties to withdraw their candidates to ensure Afridi’s unopposed election.
Opposition parties, however, have indicated they will consult their central leadership before making a final decision. The outcome will test PTI’s internal cohesion and influence in one of Pakistan’s most politically volatile provinces.
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