PESHAWAR: Different groups within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have reportedly become active over the selection of the next chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with one group lobbying for Ali Amin Gandapur to return to the provincial leadership.
According to sources, discussions within the party have intensified, with differences of opinion reportedly emerging among several senior PTI leaders and members of the provincial assembly over the next chief minister. Some influential party figures are said to favour a candidate from Buner or Hazara.
Meanwhile, more than 30 provincial lawmakers are reportedly supporting Gandapur for another term as chief minister. Sources said that without consultation with PTI founder Imran Khan, any selection made by the parliamentary party could be temporary.
The sources added that the person selected by the parliamentary party would remain in the position until a meeting with the party founder takes place. They also claimed that several PTI lawmakers had created a separate WhatsApp group to coordinate discussions about the leadership issue.
However, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Shaukat Yousafzai told Geo News that no decision had been made regarding the province’s next chief minister. He said the party leadership would consult relevant stakeholders if Sohail Afridi became disqualified.
Yousafzai also stated that Gandapur’s name had previously been put forward by the parliamentary party to represent the province. Rejecting reports of internal factionalism, he said there were no groups within PTI and that lawmakers had created the WhatsApp group simply to maintain communication with one another.
