The political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has become increasingly uncertain as more than 48 hours have passed without official confirmation of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation. Confusion and speculation continue to grow amid conflicting statements from the Chief Minister and the Governor’s office, while reports suggest that a no-confidence motion is being prepared as a backup plan to remove Gandapur from office.
Ali Amin Gandapur, who announced his resignation earlier this week claiming he was stepping down on the instructions of his party leadership, insists that he has already submitted his resignation to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. “I have sent my resignation to the Governor. The unnecessary drama should stop now,” Gandapur said in a statement to the media.
However, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has contradicted this claim, saying that no such resignation has yet reached his office. “The resignation of the Chief Minister has not arrived at my Principal Secretary’s office. Once it is received, we will review it and act accordingly,” the Governor stated.
According to constitutional experts, the Governor may have the right to question the validity of the resignation if it is not handwritten, which could further delay the process. The issue has thus turned into a political and legal puzzle, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives.
Meanwhile, sources within the provincial assembly have revealed that despite the official holiday, all assembly staff have been instructed to remain present, signaling possible political activity in the coming hours. There are reports that the KP Assembly session may be convened at 3 p.m. today, although no official notification has yet been issued in this regard.
In an interesting turn of events, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — Gandapur’s own party — has reportedly prepared a no-confidence motion against him. According to insiders, this move is being kept as a contingency plan in case the Governor does not sign and accept Gandapur’s resignation. The motion could be tabled in the assembly at any time, depending on how the situation unfolds.
As per the latest figures, the KP Assembly currently has 145 members, of which 93 are independents — most aligned with PTI — while the opposition holds 52 seats. A simple majority of 73 votes would be required to pass a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister. Given the current political alignments, the outcome could depend heavily on whether the independent lawmakers continue to support PTI’s internal decisions or side with the opposition.
Political analysts believe that the ongoing uncertainty reflects deeper divisions within PTI’s provincial leadership and its complex relationship with the central party command. Gandapur, known for his fiery rhetoric and strong loyalty to PTI founder Imran Khan, has been at the center of several political controversies but maintained significant support within the party’s KP ranks.
If the resignation is eventually accepted, the province will enter a new phase of political reshuffling, with potential candidates for the Chief Minister’s slot already being discussed behind closed doors. However, if the no-confidence motion is brought forward first, it could further complicate the constitutional procedure and lead to an extended power struggle.
As the deadlock continues, governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has effectively stalled. Administrative matters and development projects have slowed, with bureaucrats awaiting clarity on the province’s leadership. Observers warn that prolonged instability could affect law and order and delay budgetary and policy decisions critical for the province’s development.
