Rifts, Allegations, and Law & Order: Why Imran Khan Removed Ali Amin Gandapur as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister

In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the 20-month rule of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur — once a fiery loyalist of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — had become increasingly turbulent. From internal party rifts to governance lapses, and from law and order concerns to personal controversies, Gandapur’s tenure was marked by mounting instability.

According to several PTI insiders, the decision by PTI founder Imran Khan to remove Gandapur stems from deep internal divisions, failures in the campaign for Imran Khan’s release, and a sharp rise in violent incidents across the province. These issues, they say, convinced the party leadership that a change at the top had become inevitable.

Now, as Sohail Afridi, a relatively young and inexperienced politician, has been nominated as the new Chief Minister, the question arises: Can he deliver where Gandapur faltered?

Tensions with Aleema Khan and the September Rally Incident

One of the flashpoints appears to be Gandapur’s public criticism of Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan. Sources close to the party say Gandapur’s comments — made in a video message after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail — deeply upset Khan’s family and inner circle.

The situation worsened after a chaotic rally in Peshawar on September 27, where Gandapur was booed and interrupted by PTI workers, unable to complete his speech. What was meant to be a show of strength for PTI turned into a public embarrassment, revealing how far Gandapur had fallen out of favor — not only with the leadership but also with grassroots supporters.

Gandapur later claimed the disruptions were “a planned attempt” to discredit him. However, analysts suggest the incident only cemented his image as a divisive and controversial figure within PTI ranks.

Accusations of Pro-Establishment Leanings

Veteran journalist Ali Akbar argues that Gandapur’s “pro-establishment” image became a major liability.

“He was seen as someone playing on both sides — maintaining ties with the establishment while claiming loyalty to Imran Khan,” Akbar said.
He cited Gandapur’s absence during key PTI protest marches towards Islamabad as a telling example.
“Every time PTI planned a major show for Imran Khan’s release, Ali Amin would disappear at the last moment,” Akbar added.

With Imran Khan’s imprisonment dominating PTI’s political agenda, the leadership reportedly decided that a Chief Minister who couldn’t fully align with the movement’s goals had to go.

Law and Order Failures

Legal expert Qazi Anwar Advocate points to the deteriorating security situation in southern KP — Gandapur’s own political stronghold — as a decisive factor.

“Look at Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, and the tribal belt — instability is widespread,” he said. “The Chief Minister couldn’t control the situation, and even the police often ignored his directives.”

Observers note that Gandapur’s inability to restore order, coupled with a perception of administrative neglect, eroded his credibility both within the government and among the public.

Strategic Considerations

Qazi Anwar further emphasized that any Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must maintain working ties with the military due to the province’s sensitive border with Afghanistan and volatile tribal regions.

“Whoever holds this position must strike a balance — keeping security cooperation intact while safeguarding civilian authority,” he said.

BBC.URDU