Political instability persists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through 2025
Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained politically unstable in 2025, witnessing repeated cabinet reshuffles, resignation of Ali Amin Gandapur, and appointment of Sohail Khan Afridi as chief minister.
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - The year 2025 once again proved to be one of political instability for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marked by repeated cabinet reshuffles and even a change in the chief minister’s office.
Ali Amin Gandapur, who took oath as chief minister on March 2, 2024, resigned on October 15 after serving for one year, seven months, and 13 days. Following his resignation, Sohail Khan Afridi took oath as the new chief minister on October 15, 2025.
During Ali Amin Gandapur’s tenure, the provincial cabinet underwent several changes. Just days before his resignation, on October 2, a fresh reshuffle was carried out. Khaliq ur Rehman was shifted from excise and taxation to the health portfolio, while Ehtesham Khan was moved from health adviser to excise adviser. Zahid Chandzeb was transferred from tourism to labour.
Similarly, Pakhtoon Yar was reassigned from public health engineering to sports, while Fakhar Jahan was given public health engineering after being removed from sports. Muhammad Asim Khan was appointed special assistant for elementary and secondary education.
Following Gandapur’s departure, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet was dissolved. The new chief minister formed a 13-member cabinet comprising a mix of old and new faces. Faisal Turki, Aqibullah, Khaliq ur Rehman, Fakhar Jahan, Fazal Shakoor, Aftab Alam, Dr Amjad, Mena Khan, and Muzammil Aslam returned to the cabinet, while new entrants included Riaz Khan, Shafee Jan, and Taj Muhammad Tarand.
According to Special Assistant for Information Shafee Jan, the authority to reshuffle the cabinet rests with the PTI founder, who can appoint or remove members at will.
