PESHAWAR: The political crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deepened on Sunday night as Governor Faisal Karim Kundi rejected both resignation letters submitted by outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, citing inconsistencies in the signatures.
The governor has also summoned Gandapur to Governor House on October 15 to verify the authenticity of the documents. The move comes just hours ahead of a scheduled KP Assembly session, where the election of a new chief minister is on the agenda.
Also read: KP Assembly to elect new chief minister today
Governor Kundi announced the decision on social media platform X, confirming that both resignation letters, received on October 8 and October 11, were returned with observations due to “disparate and unalike signatures.”
In an attached letter addressed to Gandapur, Kundi wrote, “Since I am out of the city and plan to return to Peshawar by the evening of October 15, you are advised to appear at 3 PM so the authenticity of the resignations can be verified in line with constitutional requirements.”
In response, Gandapur acknowledged on X that the governor had now officially recognised the first resignation submitted on October 8, previously denied by the Governor’s Office. He insisted both letters carried his genuine signature.
The confusion stems from a series of events beginning on October 8, when Gandapur announced his resignation, supported by a letter posted on his official letterhead. PTI’s General Secretary Salman Akram Raja confirmed the move, adding that party founder Imran Khan had nominated Sohail Afridi as Gandapur’s successor.
Despite this, the Governor’s Office claimed it never received the resignation. Days later, on October 11, the governor acknowledged receiving a handwritten resignation but stated that it would undergo legal scrutiny.
A day prior to this, a PTI delegation led by senior leaders, including Asad Qaiser and Atif Khan, met Kundi in Islamabad, requesting the governor’s cooperation in facilitating a smooth and democratic transition.
Governor Kundi reiterated that any resignation would be handled in accordance with constitutional procedures, while also calling for cross-party cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the province.
RACE FOR NEW CHIEF MINISTER UNDERWAY
Despite the ongoing dispute, four candidates have submitted nomination papers for the chief minister election scheduled for today. PTI’s nominee Sohail Afridi is joined by Maulana Lutfur Rehman (JUI-F), Sardar Shah Jehan Yousaf (PML-N), and Arbab Zarak Khan (PPP), representing the opposition.
KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has cleared all nominations after scrutiny. Speaking to media, Afridi called for adherence to democratic norms, saying the Constitution provided a clear path for electing a new leader. “No one should interfere in this process,” he asserted.
Also read: KP chief minister election: who will be opposition’s candidate?
However, opposition leaders raised serious concerns over the legitimacy of the proceedings. Leader of the Opposition Dr Ibadullah questioned how the assembly could hold a leadership vote when Gandapur’s resignation had not been formally accepted. “We are witnessing a constitutional contradiction. There can’t be two chief ministers at once,” he said.
JUI-F’s Maulana Lutfur Rehman echoed similar concerns, saying PTI was rushing the process. “The resignation is still under review. Holding an election now is inappropriate,” he argued, hinting at the possibility of challenging the vote in court.
Meanwhile, PTI officials, led by KP President MNA Junaid Akbar Khan, have launched efforts to secure opposition support for Afridi’s unopposed election. The party has approached leaders of the JUI-F, ANP, and PML-N, urging them to avoid involvement in what it called “unconstitutional efforts” to derail the process.