KP's search for caretaker CM back to square one as Khan ends Afridi's candidacy amid criticism

E-Paper | July 25, 2026

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on Monday went back on his decision on appointing Manzoor Afridi as the caretaker chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, DawnNewsTV reported.

KP CM Pervez Khattak and opposition leader Maulana Lutfur Rehman on Saturday had reportedly reached an agreement over Afridi's candidacy — an accord which according to PTI spokesperson Shaukat Yousafzai and provincial law minister Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi also had Khan's blessing at the time.

However, the appointment of Afridi, who is the brother of a sitting PTI Senator and is facing allegations that he had bought his way to the job, attracted fierce criticism from not just opposition parties but also from members within the PTI.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had also questioned the choice when he appeared in the accountability court earlier today.

As a result, according to informed sources, Khan has had a change of heart and it was announced that a fresh round of discussion between the government and the opposition will take place this evening, with a new caretaker CM expected to be announced tomorrow.

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Faryad Ali

May 28, 2018 03:42pm

Nice decision by IK

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Hasnain Haque

May 28, 2018 03:58pm

This is what transparency is, if all concerned do not have trust in CM then IK has done the right thing and look for someone else who is acceptable to everyone. This is a good example unlike other parties where the king makes the decision and everyone has to follow.

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Nomi Goraya

May 28, 2018 04:02pm

It is the way PTI will run the country if it comes in POWER?

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Harmony-1©

May 28, 2018 04:08pm

He was picked with the consent of opposition. Good of IK to retract this agreed nomination; any other leader would not have retracted an agreed upon nomination.

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M1 Jamal

May 28, 2018 04:15pm

In Pakistan sometime we find consciences.

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Alba

May 28, 2018 04:19pm

It is worrying because the PTI may be as dysfunctional in power as they are out of power.

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Yaqoob

May 28, 2018 04:22pm

Good decision. A leader always admits his mistake and fixes it.

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Tahir

May 28, 2018 04:22pm

Not get a nod also from establishment

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Harmony-1©

May 28, 2018 05:01pm

@Hasnain Haque - Well said.

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Harmony-1©

May 28, 2018 05:03pm

@Nomi Goraya - Yes that's the way! Manzoor Afridi was picked with the consent of opposition. Good of IK to retract this agreed nomination; any other leader would not have retracted an agreed upon nomination.

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timetostopthis

May 28, 2018 05:13pm

Obviously the nomination was not well thought through. Hope this is not the way decisions are going to be made when he comes into power.

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Nino

May 28, 2018 06:20pm

The change of mind only indicates ,once again, the manner decisions will be taken and altered by IK if he ever comes to power,

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Hasnain Haque

May 28, 2018 06:42pm

@timetostopthis I fail to see your argument, so it is good to stick to a poor decision than change your mind and make a good decision?.

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Hasnain Haque

May 28, 2018 06:43pm

@Nomi Goraya You mean run properly, democratically and with consensus from everyone or do you want it run like a family business.

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Hasnain Haque

May 28, 2018 06:45pm

@Alba You don't need to worry, its not dysfunctional but democratic and transparent, I hope you know the meaning of both, I know both these qualities are unheard of in Pakistani politics but it is coming.

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SHAHID SATTAR

May 28, 2018 09:00pm

Any other choices from amongst the scions of the high and mighty? Apply now while the show is on.

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Razi

May 28, 2018 10:26pm

Well done IK

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Ayesha K Sadozai

May 29, 2018 12:29am

Imran just managed to save himself serious embarrassment in the nick of time. I would strongly suggest he should also get rid of Parvez Khattak if he wants to save PTI in KPK province.

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bbb

May 29, 2018 02:31am

Rumours say he paid maulana and pervaiz khattak :)

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Omar

May 29, 2018 05:08am

@Nino unlike decision by current PM to send his business partners son for ambassadorship of the US. Hope you understand the difference.

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May 29, 2018 08:10am

PTI and IK seem to always put the cart before the horse. This fire-first-and-ask-questions-later style is no way to run a small business let alone a province. Why don't they do their homework before making a decision?

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Atif

May 30, 2018 10:12pm

It shows the lack of decision making in PTI. In politics, whatever decision you make, you face criticism. The example is sitting government; they are being blamed for not having priorities even they do and timely complete the major projects in Energy and Infrastructure. There is always a room for criticism but you need to stick with your decisions if they are carefully thought. If you have make a decision without consultation or in haste then there is more probability that you will repeat your mistakes.

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