Suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has virtually no chance of returning to office, even if the emergency and governor's rule imposed in the province are temporary, a highly placed federal government source has said. "There is zero chance of his return as chief minister," the source told this correspondent, ruling out the possibility of Afridi resuming office after the emergency arrangement comes to an end.
The assessment comes as the federal government has suspended the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government and placed Afridi and some members of his cabinet in preventive custody. The Centre imposed emergency and governor's rule on October 11, citing the provincial government's alleged failure to effectively counter terrorism.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the move, describing it as politically motivated. According to the source, Afridi's confrontational political stance, particularly his statements concerning terrorism and state institutions, has further damaged his relationship with the federal government and the establishment.
His return to the chief minister's office, the source indicated, is no longer considered a viable option at the federal level. The political uncertainty surrounding Afridi has been compounded by a series of legal challenges, including cases linked to the May 9, 2023, violence, protests, and his appointment as chief minister.
The Federal Constitutional Court has fixed October 15 for hearing a petition challenging Afridi's appointment. Filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) dissident Sher Afzal Marwat, the petition questions the circumstances surrounding former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur's resignation and Afridi's subsequent election.
Meanwhile, the Peshawar High Court has been hearing petitions by Afridi and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders seeking details of cases registered against them and protective bail. On October 10, the court gave their lawyers a final opportunity to argue the petitions and fixed October 20 for the next hearing, warning that no further extensions would be granted.
Afridi has also been nominated in a case, and an anti-terrorism court directed the investigating officer to submit a supplementary charge sheet after examining the investigation report. In a separate matter, the Peshawar High Court dismissed Afridi's petition challenging Election Commission proceedings over alleged violations of the code of conduct during the Haripur by-election campaign.
The combination of the federal takeover, Afridi's preventive detention, and the pending legal proceedings has created considerable uncertainty over his political future. The situation remains fluid as legal teams prepare for upcoming court dates, yet the federal stance appears firm regarding the leadership transition in the province.
Political analysts suggest that the current crisis marks a significant shift in the power dynamics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With the provincial assembly suspended and key leadership under detention, the focus has shifted toward the legal battles that will determine the long-term governance structure of the region.
As the October 15 and October 20 court dates approach, all eyes remain on the judiciary to see how these constitutional and criminal challenges will be resolved. For now, the political career of Sohail Afridi faces its most critical test to date.