Peshawar – Following the resignation of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, political negotiations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have intensified as parties race to form the next provincial government.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), under its founding chairman Imran Khan, has nominated Sohail Afridi, a young leader from the province, for the position of Chief Minister. Meanwhile, opposition alliances are mobilizing to counter PTI’s nomination and secure control over the provincial assembly.

Sources suggest that in this context, PTI’s Shandana Gulzar and JUI-F’s Maulana Atta ur Rehman are expected to meet in Peshawar for high-level talks, a meeting that has already drawn scrutiny in political and security circles.

Profiles Under the Microscope

Maulana Atta ur Rehman, a sitting senator and brother of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, remains a polarizing political figure. His past remarks and reportedly soft stance on the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have invited criticism from across the political spectrum.

Analysts point to JUI-F’s historical linkages with Taliban elements, noting that such associations have often placed the party under state and media scrutiny. The current outreach between PTI and JUI-F, therefore, is being seen as a sensitive development that could have implications for counterterrorism policy and provincial stability.

PTI’s Calculated Risk?

The PTI’s nomination of Sohail Afridi has also sparked a separate debate. Political observers claim Afridi has previously been viewed as ideologically close to TTP-aligned narratives, a perception that complicates PTI’s attempts to reassert political control in KP.

Given the province’s record as Pakistan’s frontline region against militancy, analysts warn that any engagement with individuals viewed as sympathetic to extremist tendencies could blur the line between mainstream politics and radical influence.

Shandana Gulzar Under Scrutiny

Shandana Gulzar, a former National Assembly member and senior PTI figure, is also facing serious allegations related to anti-state rhetoric and her alleged role in the May 9 unrest, the day violent protests erupted following Imran Khan’s arrest.

Her expected meeting with Maulana Atta ur Rehman has intensified debate over PTI’s internal strategy and the political messaging it aims to project amid ongoing investigations and state crackdowns.

Security Establishment’s Concerns

Pakistan’s security institutions have repeatedly underlined the importance of keeping governance and militancy strictly separated. After years of counterterror operations, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s stability remains fragile, and security officials stress that political normalization must not open doors to actors who have past associations with extremist ideologies.

For Islamabad, the concern is both immediate and strategic, the province’s leadership plays a critical role in cross-border security, counterinsurgency coordination, and anti-terror frameworks established after Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad.

Analysts Warn of Political and Security Fallout

Experts caution that if state-critical or radical-leaning elements gain political leverage in KP, the impact could extend beyond provincial politics. It may weaken Pakistan’s broader narrative against extremism and complicate international cooperation on security matters.

The evolving situation also raises questions about PTI’s broader recalibration strategy, whether the party is willing to broker alliances with ideologically conflicting actors to regain provincial power.

The Road Ahead

As the Atta ur Rehman–Shandana Gulzar meeting approaches, political watchers see it as a defining moment in KP’s post-Gandapur power struggle. Whether it results in a pragmatic coalition or deepens divisions will determine the province’s immediate future.

For Pakistan’s state institutions, however, one principle remains clear. Stability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cannot come at the expense of security coherence. The province’s next government will not only shape governance but also signal the direction of Pakistan’s ongoing battle against extremism and political volatility.