KP CM de-notifies MNA Junaid Akbar as focal person

PESHAWAR: Differences among the top leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have further intensified as Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has de-notified his focal person Junaid Akbar Khan who was elected an MNA from Malakand.

The chief minister has already sacked provincial minister for communications and works Shakil Ahmad Khan on the allegations of corruption.

Two senior PTI leaders and MNAs Junaid Akbar Khan and Mohammad Atif Khan have come forward in support of Shakil Ahmad and openly defended him against the chief minister.

According to PTI insiders, Junaid Akbar’s open support of Shakil Ahmad put him in trouble, prompting Ali Amin Gandapur to remove him from his position.

“The Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been pleased to de-notify Junaid Akbar, MNA NA-09 Malakand as Focal Person to Chief Minister for Member National Assembly (MNA) of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with immediate effect. Consequent upon above, Shahid Ahmad, MNA NA-38 Karak has been appointed as Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Member National Assembly of PTI from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” a notification said.

As focal person, Shahid Ahmad, MNA, will serve to facilitate communication/liaison between the provincial government and Members National Assembly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ensuring effective communication and coordination on the provincial and federal matters.

Meanwhile, former provincial minister Shakil Ahmad Khan has said that he would meet Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founding chairman Imran Khan at Adiala jail next week to inform him about the facts. In a statement issued here, he said that he would be accompanied by Provincial Minister for Education Faial Tarakai and Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru.

Shakil Ahmad said that he would inform the PTI founding chairman about the facts surrounding his removal from the cabinet.

It may be mentioned that the governor issued a notification on Friday to de-notify Shakil Khan as a member of the provincial cabinet. The provincial government spokesman, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, had said that the minister was removed after investigations proved his involvement in corruption.