Ex-PTI Minister Defects to PML-N After Meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif

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On July 25, 2025, Nawabzada Mohsin Ali Khan, a former provincial minister and former provincial president of PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formally joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Accompanied by his son, Shehryar, and a group of associates, Khan’s defection was welcomed by the Prime Minister, who expressed confidence in his ability to enhance the party’s outreach in KP. Also present at the event was Engineer Amir Muqam, the PML-N’s provincial president and federal minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan affairs, underscoring the political importance of the shift.

Mohsin Ali Khan has held senior roles within PTI in KP, including serving as a provincial minister and provincial party president. He cited dissatisfaction with PTI’s direction in the province and voiced support for PML-N’s development-oriented vision. His decision provides PML-N with a strategic opportunity to strengthen its presence in a province where PTI had maintained strong electoral dominance in recent years.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the federal government’s ongoing commitment to the welfare, stability, and development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He suggested that Khan and his supporters would play active roles in promoting the party’s policies in the province and in strengthening outreach to local communities.

This defection is part of a broader political trend following the 2024 general elections, during which several former PTI lawmakers, independents, and influential figures have gradually moved toward PML-N. While some PTI lawmakers have faced internal party disciplinary action or disqualification proceedings for similar realignments, Khan’s shift is viewed as consistent with growing political recalibration at the provincial level.

The development underscores shifting dynamics in KP’s political landscape, as PML-N seeks to consolidate influence in areas traditionally dominated by its rival. Khan’s move is seen as a sign of disillusionment with PTI’s leadership and strategy in the region and a calculated decision to align with a party offering a governance-focused approach.

In summary, Nawabzada Mohsin Ali Khan’s defection represents a significant political realignment that bolsters PML-N’s standing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It remains to be seen whether this high-profile shift will convert into meaningful electoral gains or sustained political support in the province, but it signals a notable turning point in Pakistan’s evolving political environment.