KP govt says sacked minister over corruption charges

PESHAWAR: While provincial Minister for Communications and Works Shakil Ahmad claimed quitting the cabinet position due to “bad governance and corruption in the PTI-backed provincial government”, the KP government stated it sacked him on corruption charges.

The provincial government said the minister was de-notified as cabinet member after being sacked on corruption charges. “The governor of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in exercise of powers conferred under clause 3 of Article 132 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is pleased to de-notify Mr Shakil Khan, Minister for Communication and Works, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from his office. On his de-notification from his respective office, he has ceased to hold the portfolio of provincial minister with immediate effect,” said a notification.

On the direction of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, the Good Governance Committee, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations against Shakil Khan, Provincial Minister for Communication and Works and Secretary Dr Asad, said an official communique. It said an inquiry, which included testimonies and evidence from both Shakil Khan and Dr Asad, had uncovered substantial evidence of financial irregularities, misuse of authority and negligence. Consequently, the committee submitted its findings to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who took the decisive action by removing Shakil Khan from his ministerial position, it added.

However, in his resignation letter, Shakil Ahmad said, “It is with great disappointment that I, Shakil Ahmad Khan, Minister for Communications and Works, submit my resignation with effect from today, August 16, 2024 on the grounds below. That the provincial government has compromised on its basic principles and commitments we made with the public at large at the election campaign. The people voted in favour of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on its anti-establishment stance but the provincial government has stepped back from its principled stance.”

Shakil stated in his resignation letter addressed to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur: “Bad governance and corruption at all levels of the provincial government has destroyed the image of the party programme and manifesto in the ranks and files of party workers. That, I offer my self for accountability at all forums”.

Shakil Khan said he would talk in detail at the floor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and explain the reasons that prompted him to resign from the cabinet.

In the previous PTI government, Shakil Ahmad along with two other provincial ministers, including Mohammad Atif Khan and Shahram Khan Tarakai, had challenged the then chief minister Mahmood Khan and accused him of corruption. Imran Khan didn’t listen to the three ministers and ordered their removal from the cabinet.

Earlier, Shakil Ahmad managed to meet the party’s founding chairman Imran Khan in Adiala jail along with other senior party leaders. He shared whatever information he had about the alleged corruption and mismanagement in every sector of the government and reportedly mentioned some people involved in corruption. Also, Shakil Ahmad had informed Imran Khan that he had decided to resign from the cabinet as he had no control over his ministry, saying his secretary was not following his instructions.

According to eyewitnesses of the meeting, Imran Khan carefully listened to Shakil Ahmad and said he would not let him resign. Imran Khan rather encouraged him to hold a press conference in Peshawar and share with the media whatever information he had about corruption and mismanagement of the KP government. Though Shakil Ahmad held a press conference, some well-wishers of the party tried to resolve issues between him and Gandapur. He had told the journalists that Imran Khan had tasked him with monitoring the performance of the KP government and sharing the report with him on a monthly basis. But he suddenly decided to resign from the cabinet.

“Why would Shakil Ahmad go to Imran Khan and inform him about corruption in his department C&W if he was involved in it?” asked a senior PTI leader privy to the ongoing developments in the party.

Meanwhile, Adviser to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Mohammad Ali Safe said the former minister Shakil Ahmad was sacked after corruption charges were proved against him. “There is no room for corruption in PTI. We can even take action against the chief minister,” Barrister Saif said while talking to reporters.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday criticized the PTI government for its handling of corruption issues, saying that any individual exposing corruption within the provincial government faced punitive actions. According to a handout, the governor said this while signing the summary for the de-notification of Minister for Communication and Works Shakil Ahmad.

Kundi said that corruption had reached unprecedented levels in the province, with specific rates set for postings and transfers. He accused the PTI of dismantling accountability institutions like Ehtesab Commission to shield its corrupt practices and claimed that removing obstacles to corruption had become a mission for the provincial government.

Atif Khan defended Shakil Khan, rejecting corruption charge against him. Atif said Shakil is an an honest and upright leader, reports Geo News.