Who is Sohail Afridi? All About Newly Elected CM of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan’s nominee, Sohail Afridi, has been elected as the new chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), succeeding Ali Amin Gandapur.

A prominent young figure within PTI, Afridi hails from Bara tehsil in Khyber district and presently serves as the provincial minister for higher education. Known for his deep-rooted association with the party, he is counted among PTI’s most ideological and grassroots-oriented members, having aligned himself with the movement since his student days.

Educational Background

Afridi received his early education at Muslim Public School, Saddar Peshawar, where he also completed his matriculation. He later attended FC Government High School, Peshawar, and went on to obtain a BS degree in Economics from the University of Peshawar.

Political Journey

Afridi embarked on his political path in 2015, when he was elected president of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) at the University of Peshawar. By 2017, he had advanced to ISF’s Peshawar region presidency, later assuming the role of provincial president of ISF KP. He subsequently led the Insaf Youth Wing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he played an instrumental role in reorganising and energising youth activists across the province.

Electoral Success

Afridi made his electoral debut during the 2024 general elections, contesting from PK-70 (Khyber-II). He secured a decisive victory against PML-N’s Bilawal Afridi, a triumph widely regarded as a pivotal milestone in his political ascent.

Ministerial Responsibilities

Following his election win, then–Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur inducted Afridi into the provincial cabinet as Special Assistant for Communication and Works (C&W). A later reshuffle elevated him to the position of Minister for Higher Education, further consolidating his standing within the provincial administration.

Active Role Within PTI

In the aftermath of the May 9, 2023, events, when much of PTI’s provincial leadership went into hiding, Afridi maintained active communication with party workers. He led youth-centred demonstrations and digital campaigns advocating for Imran Khan’s release, helping sustain the party’s presence through both social media and on-ground mobilisation.

Personal Background

Afridi belongs to a family of six brothers, ranking third among them. Before entering politics, he was engaged in the property business, a pursuit he left behind to dedicate himself fully to political life.