Corruption, other charges: Accountability committee clears KP Assembly speaker

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Accountability Committee has cleared Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati of corruption charges.

The committee, established to curb corruption in the province, concluded its investigation and found no evidence of wrongdoing by the speaker, who was accused of corrupt practices by a fellow party leader from Mansehra.

Speaking to journalists at the Assembly Secretariat on Monday, the speaker revealed that the accusations were initially made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati after his release from jail.

“After Azam Swati made these claims during a speech in Mansehra, I wrote to the PTI chairman and the chief minister, requesting an official inquiry into the matter,” he said.Later, Azam Swati submitted a formal complaint to the Accountability Committee, expanding the scope of allegations to include misuse of authority, illegal appointments, and promotions within the Assembly Secretariat.

However, the committee found that all actions had been carried out under relevant laws and rules, and no evidence of corruption was discovered, effectively closing the inquiry.Babar Saleem Swati highlighted the reforms undertaken during his tenure, particularly the formulation of the Assembly Act, which he said was accomplished in a record six months.

“What could not be done in 50 years, we achieved in half a year,” he remarked, crediting assembly members, relevant departments, and the Assembly Secretariat for their efforts.He recounted how he was appointed speaker without lobbying, saying he was asleep when Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur called to inform him of the decision.

Swati said that upon assuming office, he found the Assembly Secretariat in disarray and noted that the new Assembly Act had put in place a proper structure and ensured accountability.“Now, positions at Grade 17 and above are filled through promotions instead of direct appointments by the Speaker,” he explained.

Reaffirming his loyalty to the party, Swati stated, “I am a party man. If the party chairman or provincial president sends me a message, my resignation will be on the table within five minutes.”

Swati also discussed the Kohistan corruption case, saying that the National Accountability Bureau had recovered Rs 26 billion in the case, which involved three departments and the National Bank.