PMLN leader wants case against him withdrawn

NOWSHERA: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz local leader and focal person for the federal government Pir Syed Zulfiqar Bacha on Monday warned of an indefinite protest sit-in against the Jehangira Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) if she was not transferred and the case against him not withdrawn.

Speaking at a press conference, he said that if questioning the misuse of funds, embezzlement and spending development funds through favourites instead of elected representatives without tenders by TMO Shahana Sikandar was interference in government work, then they would do it repeatedly.

PMLN district president Sahibzada Hamza Pervez, Nihal Khan, Muhammad Tahir Khan, Qari Hilal Ahmad, Kashif Khan, former Akora Khattak nazim Muhammad Ayub, Jehangira Tehsil Council members Niaz Ali, Malik Naveed and others were also present.

Zulfiqar Bacha accused the TMO of enjoying luxuries at the expense of public taxes while showing zero performance.He said that the people paid millions of rupees in taxes but they were neglected, as development funds were only utilised by PTI affiliates, leaving Akora Khattak residents without any representation.

He said that Akora Khattak and TMO Jehangira’s jurisdiction lacked slaughterhouses and the butchers were forced to operate wherever they wanted. This has resulted in private slaughterhouses spreading filth in neighborhoods, causing an outbreak of diseases, he added.

“Despite that, meat is sold at exorbitant rates of Rs1000-1100 per kg, while the administration has become a silent spectator,” he said.Zulfiqar Bacha also alleged that Akora Khattak markets were marred by encroachments facilitated by TMO staff in exchange for heavy bribes.

He appealed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Secretary Local Government Dawood Khan and other authorities to take action against the TMO.He warned of launching a protest movement if action was not taken.The focal person also demanded an investigation by DC Nowshera into the use of substandard materials in projects for the people.