Mehmood Khan sworn in as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI’s) Mehmood Khan was sworn in as the new chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.

Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) appointee, administered the oath at Governor House in Peshawar. Jhagra tendered his resignation shortly after administering oath to Khan.

In his talk with the media, Jhagra reflected on his term. “I have completed my constitutional responsibilities. It is PTI’s right to appoint a governor for the province.”
He lauded former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for “taking the tough decision of launching military operation Zarb-e-Azb in the tribal areas. “Peace returned to the tribal districts following the military operation,” he said. Jhagra paid tribute to soldiers who had sacrificed their lives.

Earlier on Thursday, Khan secured 77 votes against the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal’s (MMA’s) Mian Nisar Gul’s 33. Swat-based Khan is said to have benefited from differences between former K-P chief minister Pervez Khattak and former education minister Atif Khan. The former was unwilling to accept the latter as chief minister. Sources told The Express Tribune Khattak had then lobbied for Khan.

Born in Matta Tehsil of Swat in 1972, Khan obtained his early education from a local school and completed his matriculation from Peshawar Public School. He hold a master’s degree from the Agriculture University of Peshawar.

Khan was elected as member of the provincial assembly from PK-9 Swat in 2013 and 2018 general elections. He is the PTI Malakand Division president and served as minister for sports, culture and tourism previously. Khan was also given the K-P home portfolio but was later removed from the post following corruption allegations. The new CM also served as Khariri nazim over 2007-12.

Hours after swearing in as the new chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Mehmood Khan took to Twitter to make his presence felt on social media. He said the Twitter handle he was using was the only account he had on the micro-blogging website.

Khan said he will remain in contact with public through the same account and await their opinion and feedback on it. “I will try and live up to Imran Khan’s expectations and trust he has shown in me,” he concluded in the video incorporated in the tweet.

Source: Express Tribune