PTI's Mahmood Khan elected K-P chief minister

PTI's Mahmood Khan bagged 77 votes versus MMA's Mian Nisar Gul's 33 votes

PESHAWAR: Newly-elected members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly elected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Mahmood Khan as the chief minister on Thursday in what was a one-sided contest against Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal’s (MMA) Mian Nisar Gul.

The Swat-based lawmaker Khan bagged 77 votes while joint opposition candidate bagged 33 votes. With two-thirds majority in the house, the PTI was set to grab the chief minister spot for the second consecutive term.



As per procedure, the members were asked to head towards and stand in the lobby dedicated to the candidate they are supporting. Those backing Khan for the CM spot were moved to Lobby 2 while Gul's supporters stood in Lobby 1.

A view inside K-P Assembly. PHOTO: EXPRESS

After his election as chief minister, Khan said he was being criticised for the sake of it. He stressed that the party did not win with support of 'third hand' but because people placed their trust in Imran Khan's 22 years of struggle.

Speaking about the next five years, the newly-elected CM reiterated anti-corruption narrative and announced a war against corruption in the province.
Keeping aside the prepared speech, Khan spoke on the points he had jotted down on a piece of paper. He promised to protect minorities and to invest in human resource, education and health.

The leader of the house added that BRT and Swat Expressway will be prioritised under his leadership. "We will focus on revenue generation."

On formerly Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) merger with K-P, Khan sought the opposition's support to resolve issues in accordance with the wishes of tribesmen.