A constitutional standoff is escalating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has resolved to approach the Peshawar High Court over Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s refusal to administer the oath to the newly elected Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi. The move comes amid the Governor’s public declaration that the election was “unconstitutional.”

Party insiders have confirmed that PTI’s legal team is drafting a petition to be filed later today. The legal action, initiated under directives from the party’s central leadership, seeks a court order compelling the Governor to facilitate the swearing-in ceremony without any further postponement.

The political friction intensified after Governor Kundi voiced his objections, linking the validity of the new Chief Minister’s election to the formal acceptance of the outgoing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation. He remarked that the process could not be validated until he was personally satisfied with the resignation.

In a statement on Monday, the Governor commented, ‘Until Ali Amin’s resignation is approved, the election of a new Chief Minister will be considered unconstitutional.’ He added, ‘Ali Amin may visit me on October 15 at 3 p.m. at Governor House – I’ll serve him tea and then approve the resignation.’

The Governor’s Office had previously returned Mr. Gandapur’s resignation, citing alleged inconsistencies between signatures on two separate copies. The Governor also noted his absence from Peshawar, stating he would return on October 15 to personally address the matter.

Responding to the obstruction, Ali Amin Gandapur addressed the provincial assembly, asserting that he had officially stepped down on October 8 as per the instructions of party chairman Imran Khan. He insisted that democratic traditions should not be subjected to ridicule or hindrance.

‘Our leader’s decision is our party’s decision – and we have every right to elect whoever we wish,’ Gandapur stated. He also highlighted his administration’s achievements, noting a significant improvement in the province’s financial standing and calling for collective action to combat terrorism.