Afridi defers K-P cabinet expansion

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has postponed the planned expansion of the provincial cabinet, making any decision conditional on approval from PTI founder Imran Khan, also referred to as the party's founding chairman.

According to reliable party sources, Afridi informed the party leadership that no final decision on cabinet enlargement has been taken, nor has any list of prospective members been finalised. The move comes amid growing internal differences within the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the inclusion of new ministers.

Earlier reports indicated that the chief minister had prepared a list of 12 to 14 potential cabinet members for the expansion phase. However, as disagreements surfaced within the party and pressure from various leaders mounted on the CM, Afridi decided to defer the process to avoid deepening rifts.

Sources close to the party told The Express Tribune that the chief minister has taken the position that any expansion must be carried out only after consultation with Imran Khan. "The names approved by the founding chairman will be included in the cabinet," Afridi reportedly told senior party leaders. By linking the decision to the founder's nod, the chief minister has skilfully navigated a potentially explosive situation that could have led to serious groupism and factionalism within PTI ranks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The current provincial cabinet, which took oath in late October 2025, consists of 13 members, 10 ministers, two advisers and one special assistant. Since assuming office in mid-October 2025, CM Afridi has been managing a large number of portfolios himself, reportedly as many as 16 out of 36, due to the limited size of the cabinet. This has made him one of the most powerful chief ministers in the country in terms of direct control over departments, but it has also highlighted the need for expansion to ease the administrative burden and ensure better governance.

Party insiders revealed that during a recent party meeting in Islamabad, Afridi clearly stated that no names had been finalised for the expanded cabinet. He assured the gathering that once the decision is taken with proper consultation, there would be no delay even of a single minute in its implementation.

The deferral is being seen within PTI circles as a prudent step that has saved the chief minister from facing major internal backlash. Had the expansion proceeded without broad consensus and the founder's input, it could have triggered strong opposition from different factions, further complicating the political landscape in the province.

Political observers note that cabinet formation and expansion in province have remained sensitive issues for PTI, with the party often emphasising consultation with its founder even on key provincial matters. The current delay reflects the delicate balance the chief minister is trying to maintain between administrative requirements and party unity.