FCC to hear challenge against CM Afridi

The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has scheduled a hearing to address a petition challenging PTI leader Sohail Afridi's election as chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, alongside Justices Aamer Farooq and Ali Baqar Najafi, will deliberate on the case on September 14. Discontented PTI member Sher Afzal Marwat initiated the lawsuit, requesting the reinstatement of Ali Amin Gandapur as K-P chief minister.

Marwat argues that Afridi's appointment is unlawful, citing that he was nominated by incarcerated founder Imran Khan, who could not do so due to his conviction. Consequently, Marwat contends that Sohail Afridi's election is both illegal and unconstitutional. The suit, filed under Article 175(E) of the Constitution, seeks a declaration from the FCC that the resignation letters submitted by Gandapur on October 8 and 11, 2025, were under the unconstitutional influence of a convicted and disqualified individual, making them legally ineffective.

The petition also alleges that the entire process of replacing Gandapur as K-P chief minister was initiated due to directives from Imran, who is claimed to be convicted and constitutionally disqualified under Articles 62 and 63. Marwat argues that a person subject to constitutional disqualification is legally incapable of controlling state functions or issuing binding political directives.

The petition seeks the FCC to annul and reverse all subsequent actions, including the October 15, 2025, notification confirming Afridi's appointment as K-P chief minister. It further requests the court to declare Gandapur's resignation as invalid and the de-notification as ineffective. Additionally, the petitioner asks the court to restrain all respondents from following any political or constitutional directives issued by disqualified or unrecognized political entities concerning K-P's governance.