The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a key leadership change in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur dismissing the provincial party president.
Junaid Akbar, a member of the National Assembly, was named his replacement.
The decision was confirmed by PTI chief Salman Akram Raja at a press conference in Rawalpindi.
Raja said Gandapur’s departure from the role was voluntary, allowing him to focus on his responsibilities as chief minister amid pressing challenges, including law and order issues in the province.
“This decision aligns with Gandapur’s demand as he wanted to devote himself fully to the governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Raja said.
The change in leadership was reportedly discussed in a meeting between Junaid Akbar and PTI Chairman Imran Khan in jail.
Several party figures, including Atif Khan, Malik Ahmad Khan Bachhar and Mian Farhat Abbas, were also present in the meeting.
Raja hinted at other organizational changes within PTI, including the potential appointment of former MNA Alia Hamza to an important role in Punjab.
The PTI remains engaged in ongoing policy discussions, with the party advocating for the creation of a commission before formal talks with the government.
Raja said PTI was open to a meeting on January 28 if the government goes ahead with the proposal.
Junaid Akbar elected president of PAC
PTI’s Junaid Akbar was earlier elected unopposed as PAC chairman on Friday.
The position had been vacant since the government took power after elections in February 2024. The PAC, which oversees the audit of government revenues and expenditures, is considered the most influential committee in Parliament.
Although the rules do not require the presidency of the PAC to be held by the opposition, it has traditionally been assigned to opposition members to ensure transparency in financial matters.
Akbar’s candidature was supported by several key figures, including Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Leader of Opposition Omar Ayub Khan, Senator Shibli Faraz and others. Prominent members of the committee such as Mna Riaz Fatyana, Malik Amir Dogar, Wajih Qamar and Sardar Mohammad Yusuf Zaman also supported his nomination.
During his election, Junaid Akbar Khan thanked the committee for their trust and promised to lead the PAC with full cooperation of all members.
