Overview

• Opposition leader Dr Ibadullah led a walkout, arguing a new leader cannot be chosen while Ali Amin Gandapur remains in office.
• Speaker Babar Saleem Swati ruled the objection valid due to uncertainty over whether the resignation has been lawfully accepted.
• Governor Faisal Karim Kundi cited mismatched signatures on two resignation letters and summoned Gandapur on Oct 15 to verify authenticity.
• Nomination papers for four contenders were approved: Sohail Afridi (PTI), Maulana Lutfur Rehman (JUI-F), Sardar Shah Jahan Yousaf (PML-N), and Arbab Zarak Khan (PPP), with 73 votes needed in the 145-seat assembly.
• PTI maintained the vote should proceed and sought backing from JUI-F, ANP, and PPP, as the military’s spokesman linked political actors to rising militancy and a federal minister accused PTI of aiding terrorists, allegations the party rejects.