Peshawar, January 25, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a significant leadership change in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur stepping down as the provincial party president. Junaid Akbar, a National Assembly member, has been named as his successor.
The announcement was made by PTI leader Salman Akram Raja during a media briefing in Rawalpindi. Raja explained that Gandapur’s resignation was voluntary, enabling him to focus entirely on his role as chief minister amid pressing challenges in the province, particularly concerning law and order.
“This decision aligns with Gandapur’s request to dedicate himself fully to the governance of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,” Raja stated.
The decision to appoint Junaid Akbar was reportedly finalized during a meeting between him and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in Adiala Jail. Senior PTI figures, including Atif Khan, Malik Ahmad Khan Bachhar, and Mian Farhat Abbas, were also present during the discussions.
Raja hinted at additional organizational changes within PTI, suggesting that former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Alia Hamza might be assigned a prominent role in Punjab.
The leadership change comes as PTI continues to engage in political deliberations, advocating for the establishment of a commission as a prerequisite for formal talks with the government. Raja mentioned that PTI is open to a meeting on January 28, provided the government moves forward with the proposed commission.
