The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court challenging the election of Sohail Afridi as the new Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that the election is unconstitutional as the resignation of his predecessor has not yet been formally accepted.

The petition was filed by JUI-F’s parliamentary leader in the provincial assembly, Maulana Lutf-ur-Rehman, through Barrister Yasin Raza. It contends that since the resignation of former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has not been officially approved, electing a new chief minister is premature and unlawful.

The petition also points out that the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has summoned Gandapur to appear on October 15 for confirmation of his resignation, reinforcing the argument that the process for his official departure remains incomplete.

“Election Took Place Prematurely,” Says Lutf-ur-Rehman

Speaking to the media earlier, Maulana Lutf-ur-Rehman maintained that the election of the new chief minister was carried out in violation of constitutional procedures.

“The previous chief minister’s resignation hasn’t been accepted yet. The governor has called him for verification. Until then, he is still legally in office,” he said.

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He also questioned the urgency behind the election.

“We don’t understand the rush. The outgoing chief minister could have continued until a formal transition was made,” he added.

Rehman revealed that JUI-F had initially submitted nomination papers in line with the Assembly Speaker’s instructions, but later boycotted the voting session. He said it was only upon receiving the governor’s summons that the party learned the resignation had not been accepted.

“We simply want the correct process to be followed. First, the previous chief minister’s resignation must be formally approved. Only then should a new chief minister be elected,” he said.