Rampant corruption: QWP to launch anti-govt movement after Eid

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial Chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao on Wednesday said they would launch a drive after Eidul Azha to highlight the misgovernance and corruption of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A press release said that he was speaking at a meeting of QWP provincial office-bearers at Watan Kor. He said that they were making efforts to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions so that democracy could flourish in the country.

“We are striving to create awareness among the people about the rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added.Sikandar Sherpao said mega corruption scandals had started emerging in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which belied claims of PTI that it was fighting corruption. The QWP leader said the slogan of change was a ploy to reach the corridors of power. He said efforts were being made to highlight the corrupt practices of the PTI. He maintained that the resources of the Pakhtuns were being ruthlessly exploited.

About the chief minister’s recent statement at a meeting with the prime minister about the rights of KP, Sikandar Sherpao said the chief executive of the province was busy making arrangements for the political gatherings. He added that over the last two years, the PTI government did not plead the case of the province. He said that until recently the provincial government was organizing political rallies. “Until now, the chief minister did not have time to secure the rights of the province,” he said, adding the PTI leaders were interested in securing release of their party founder.

He said the law and order had deteriorated in the province to the extent that even the chief minister could not visit his hometown. He maintained that the government employees had been directed to restrict their movement after sunset in the southern belt.

Sikandar Sherpao said PTI was the only political party to have formed the provincial government three times in a row, but it made no achievements.He said the PTI came to power on the slogan of fighting corruption but ended up setting new records for misgovernance and financial scandals. “New corruption scandal is emerging every day. Jobs are being sold openly, there is no merit, and the law and order is deteriorating,” he went on to allege.

Citing a specific case, he mentioned the reported Rs40 billion corruption scandal in Kohistan district as a glaring example of financial mismanagement. “Today, there is no sign of governance in the province. The provincial government has lost its writ,” he added.

Sikandar Sherpao criticised PTI for relying heavily on social media to address public issues while the people of the province were facing real-life problems. He claimed that many development projects currently being inaugurated by PTI lawmakers were originally approved during the QWP’s tenure. “They are putting their nameplates on our projects,” he added.