Sohail Afridi’s return as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister appears increasingly unlikely, according to a senior federal government source. The assessment comes after the suspension of the provincial government and the imposition of emergency rule and governor’s rule.
The source told a journalist that Afridi was unlikely to regain his position, even if the current arrangements ended. The federal government suspended the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial administration and placed Afridi and some cabinet members in preventive detention.
Read more: Afridi, some cabinet members in preventative custody, confirms Talal
On October 11, the federal government imposed emergency rule and governor’s rule in the province. Officials argued that the provincial administration had failed to tackle terrorism effectively. However, PTI rejected the move and described it as politically motivated.
According to the source, Afridi’s political statements about terrorism and state institutions further damaged his relationship with federal authorities. Meanwhile, his detention and pending legal proceedings have increased uncertainty surrounding his political future. These developments have complicated the possibility of his return to office.
The Federal Constitutional Court has scheduled a hearing for October 15 on a petition challenging Afridi’s appointment. PTI dissident Sher Afzal Marwat filed the petition, questioning former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation and the process that led to Afridi’s election.
Read more: Eight PTI leaders including Sohail Afridi taken into protective
Separately, the Peshawar High Court is hearing petitions concerning cases registered against Afridi and other PTI leaders. On October 10, the court gave his lawyers a final opportunity to present arguments. It scheduled the next hearing for October 20 and warned against further delays.
Afridi also faces a case linked to the May 2023 violence involving damage to Radio Pakistan’s Peshawar building. An anti-terrorism court directed the investigating officer to submit a supplementary charge sheet. In another matter, the Peshawar High Court dismissed Afridi’s challenge to election commission proceedings over alleged campaign code violations. These cases remain part of the wider legal uncertainty surrounding his political future.