Four days after the conclusion of the general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, speculation is rife regarding potential candidates for the chief minister position in the province's next term.
Among the elected independents supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), several names have surfaced as potential contenders for the role, including the party’s provincial president Ali Amin Gandapur, former speaker Mushtaq Ghani, former provincial minister Atif Khan, and Shakeel Khan, among others.
Sources within PTI suggest different factions are lobbying for their preferred candidate. Former provincial president Ali Amin Gandapur, former speaker Mushtaq Ghani, and former minister Atif Khan are among the frequently mentioned names. Additionally, sources claim Ghani enjoys support from a specific group pushing for his candidacy.
While names like Ali Amin Gandapur, Mushtaq Ghani, Atif Khan, and Shakeel Khan have been circulating, a senior PTI leader clarified that not all of these names are under active consideration. Furthermore, the party has not convened any official meetings to finalize a candidate.
The ultimate decision regarding the chief minister will be made by the party's founder, Imran Khan.
The selection of the Chief Minister will be a key decision for PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where they emerged as the largest party despite contesting primarily through independent candidates. With various factions vying for influence, it remains to be seen who will ultimately receive Khan's backing for this crucial leadership position.
