The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday disposed of a petition seeking to nullify the election of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s new chief minister, just hours before Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is scheduled to administer the oath to CM-elect Sohail Afridi. A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Arshad Ali and Justice Waqar Ahmad, heard arguments from Barrister Yaseen on behalf of Rehman, while PTI’s Salman Akram Raja represented the opposing side. Raja contended that the JUI-F petition had “become ineffective” following the PHC’s earlier order, but Justice Ali said the court would still hear the petitioner’s arguments. Barrister Yaseen questioned how a new chief minister could be elected when the resignation of former CM Ali Amin Gandapur had not yet been accepted, arguing that under Article 105 of the Constitution, only the governor can formally acknowledge such a resignation. He pointed out that Gandapur’s resignation had been sent by post, not submitted in person. Justice Ali acknowledged his concern, noting that the chief minister’s office remains vacant until the resignation is officially accepted. Yaseen maintained that the election was unconstitutional and risked creating a constitutional crisis, since Gandapur and his cabinet were technically still in office.
PHC disposes of plea against KP CM election
Published on: October 16, 2025 4:05 AM