Overview
- The KP Assembly has been summoned for 10:00 am on October 13 to elect a new leader by show of hands after four nomination papers were approved.
- PTI’s Sohail Afridi, JUI-F’s Maulana Lutfur Rehman, PML-N’s Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf, and PPP’s Arbab Zarak Khan are on the final ballot.
- Governor Faisal Karim Kundi returned Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation citing two letters with mismatched signatures and summoned him on October 15 for in-person verification, while Gandapur says the signatures are his.
- Opposition leaders and several legal experts contend the vote is unconstitutional without a formal acceptance and notification of the resignation, but the Advocate General and the Speaker say the process complies with the Constitution.
- PTI, which leads the largest bloc in the 145-member house, is pushing Afridi’s election and has courted rivals for support, as ANP refuses to participate or back PTI and opposition parties weigh a consensus nominee.