The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has elected Ali Amin Gandapur of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as the 22nd Chief Minister of the province.
Gandapur secured an overwhelming victory with an impressive 90 votes, defeating his rival Ibadullah Khan from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
A seasoned political figure, Gandapur previously served as a federal minister during the PTI government. His nomination for the coveted chief ministerial position came from none other than the imprisoned party founder, Imran Khan, last month.
Gandapur contested polls on both a National Assembly seat (NA-44) and a provincial seat (PK-113) in Dera Ismail Khan. The PTI-backed candidates comfortably secured a majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, paving the way for the formation of the provincial government.
The KP Assembly convened today for the crucial vote, witnessing Gandapur’s decisive victory.
Despite the calm atmosphere, pro-Imran Khan slogans resonated throughout the session, which saw a boycott by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
In his victory speech, Chief Minister Gandapur asserted his independence, lamenting the perceived lack of a fair playing field in the February 8 general elections.
While expressing a commitment to avoiding a politics of revenge, he emphasized the party’s determination to assert its rights.
Gandapur called for an impartial investigation into allegations of rigging in the general elections, offering full cooperation.
He urged a probe based on Forms-45 and invited scrutiny into any constituency. Demanding the immediate resignation of the chief election commissioner, he accused the Election Commission of Pakistan of failing in its responsibilities.
Addressing Imran Khan’s incarceration, Gandapur claimed it resulted from exposing a foreign conspiracy.
He urged a judicial commission to investigate rigging allegations and highlighted the need for accountability in the May 9 riots, demanding a fair inquiry into the events.
The newly elected Chief Minister promised a relentless focus on eradicating terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ensuring peaceful nights for every resident.
Turning to economic matters, Gandapur pledged efforts to increase the province’s revenue, alleviate the burdens on the poor, and invest in trade and business development for job creation.
In a significant announcement, Gandapur declared the restoration of the health card in the province from the first day of Ramazan.
