ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Saturday replaced Junaid Akbar as the president of the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, sacking Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
Khan’s decision came a day after Juniad Akbar was elected as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) unopposed, ending the year-long standoff on PAC chairmanship between government and opposition.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja confirmed Imran Khan’s decision during a media briefing in Rawalpindi.
The change in leadership was reportedly discussed during a meeting between Junaid Akbar and PTI Chairman Imran Khan in prison. Several other party leaders, including Atif Khan, Malik Ahmad Khan Bachhar, and Mian Farhat Abbas, were also present.
“Gandapur was satisfactorily handling his party responsibilities, on his request the PTI’s founder has relieved him from the party office,” Raja said.
Gandapur requested to focus on his responsibilities as chief minister amidst pressing challenges, including law and order issues in the province.
Salam Akram Raja also hinted at further leadership changes within the party, including the potential appointment of former MNA Alia Hamza to a significant role in Punjab.
Talking about the ongoing negotiations with the government and PTI, Raja stated that the Imran Khan-founded party is open to a meeting on January 28 if the government proceeds with the proposal of forming to separate judicial commissions.
