Peshawar, September 30, 2025: Two provincial ministers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Aqib Ullah Khan and Faisal Khan Tarakai, resigned from the cabinet on Tuesday, in a development that underscores deepening divisions within the ruling PTI.
The resignations were confirmed by former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, who announced the move in a social media post. Aqib Ullah, Qaiser’s brother, was serving as provincial irrigation minister, while Tarakai held the portfolio of elementary and secondary education in Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s cabinet. Both lawmakers hail from Swabi district.
Though no formal reasons were cited, both leaders reiterated their loyalty to PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned.
The move comes days after a lacklustre PTI rally in Peshawar, which saw a thinner-than-expected turnout, raising questions about the party’s once-unshakable grip on the province. Party workers have also expressed frustration with Chief Minister Gandapur, criticizing his inability to secure Khan’s release and voicing concerns over his leadership style.
Observers note that the latest resignations highlight widening cracks within PTI’s provincial setup, with Asad Qaiser emerging as a key figure around whom a rival faction in KP appears to be consolidating.
