Corruption allegations: PTI forms panel to keep an eye on KP govt

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has formed a three-member committee to keep an eye on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and ensure that none of the cabinet members could ever get involved in misuse of power or corruption in the province.

Some insiders of the party told The News that the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan had directed constitution of the committee and even suggested names of the committee members.

“The party founding chairman had suggested former governor Shah Farman, senior lawyer Qazi Anwar and the party member of National Assembly from Malakand region, Junaid Akbar Khan to be part of the committee. Nobody knows what happened but name of MNA Junaid Akbar was later dropped from the committee and Brig (retired) Mussadiq Abbasi was included,” a PTI leader in Peshawar told The News.

Brig (retired) Mussadiq Abbasi is presently working as Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Anti-Corruption.

Now the committee is comprised of Shah Farman, Qazi Anwar and Brig (Retd) Mussadiq Abbasi.

Shah Farman is an old friend of Imran Khan and was made governor of the province.

The elderly Qazi Anwar is a senior lawyer.

Brig (Retd) Mussadiq Abbasi had previously served in the National Accountability Bureau.

According to the party leadership, Imran Khan had received information from his close aides about the misuse of power and corruption in the KP government, and he directed for constituting a special committee to monitor the government performance and report directly to him.

Interestingly, provincial minister for Communications and Works, Shakeel Ahmad during a press conference three days ago claimed that Imran Khan had given him the task to monitor the performance of KP government and report every month.

Shakeel Ahmad and some other PTI leaders had called on Imran Khan last week in Adiala Jail and informed him about the alleged corruption in the KP government.

Imran Khan had empowered Shakeel Ahmad to go back and hold a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club and openly mention whatever information he had about alleged the corruption of Ali Amin Gandapur government. Before the press conference, Ali Amin and his close associates approached Shakil Ahmad and requested him to cancel his press conference and assured him that they would address all his concerns. He later held a press conference but was accompanied by Barrister Mohammad Saif, Adviser to Chief Minister, and avoided sharing the details of corruption that he had allegedly shared with Imran Khan.