ISLAMABAD: The political future of suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has become increasingly uncertain, with a senior federal source suggesting that his return to office is now highly unlikely, even if the current emergency arrangements and governor’s rule prove temporary.
According to the source, the federal government does not consider Afridi’s reinstatement a realistic possibility. The assessment comes after the provincial government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was suspended and Afridi, along with several cabinet members, was reportedly placed in preventive detention.
The federal government imposed emergency measures and governor’s rule on October 11, citing the provincial administration’s alleged failure to effectively address terrorism. PTI rejected the move, describing it as politically motivated. The development has further intensified tensions between the federal authorities and the opposition party.
The source also pointed to Afridi’s confrontational political stance, particularly his statements concerning terrorism and state institutions, as a factor that has strained relations with the federal government and establishment. However, the assessment reflects the source’s view rather than a formal judicial determination of Afridi’s political future.
Several pending legal proceedings have added to the uncertainty surrounding the chief minister’s position. These include cases linked to the May 9, 2023, unrest, public demonstrations and questions concerning the legality of his appointment following Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation.
The Federal Constitutional Court has reportedly scheduled October 15 to hear a petition challenging Afridi’s appointment. Filed by PTI dissident Sher Afzal Marwat, the petition questions the circumstances surrounding Gandapur’s resignation and Afridi’s subsequent election. Meanwhile, the Peshawar High Court is hearing related applications concerning case details and protective bail, with October 20 set for the next hearing.
Afridi has also been named in a case concerning the vandalism and burning of the Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar during the May 2023 unrest. In a separate matter, the Peshawar High Court dismissed his petition challenging Election Commission proceedings over alleged violations during the Haripur by-election campaign.
The dismissal does not, by itself, establish the truth of the underlying allegations. With emergency rule, detention and multiple legal proceedings unfolding simultaneously, Afridi’s return as KP chief minister remains uncertain.
