Muqam to file reference with NAB against KP govt

Misuse of power, public funds

PESHAWAR: Adviser to Prime Minister Amir Muqam has hinted at filing a reference with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and others for misuse of power and public funds.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, he said he was also considering moving the Supreme Court against the corrupt practices of the provincial government.He ridiculed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership for claiming to have changed the system of governance by adopting the so-called austerity measures.

Amir Muqam alleged the public exchequer and authority were being misused for political gains. “How the chief minister allowed the use of the official helicopter for the by-election campaign in Kohistan?” he asked. He questioned as to why the PTI candidate Zargul Khan was provided the helicopter to visit Kohistan for his election campaign. He also came down hard on the chief minister for disturbing the trials of Under-19 cricket players in Abbottabad. He said the chief minister could have used another ground for landing his helicopter instead of disturbing the trials.

Criticising the PTI chief Imran Khan for his silence over the misuse of power and resources by the chief minister and his ministers, he maintained that the PTI candidate running for the by-election in Kohistan was provided the official helicopter for his use. He said the PTI candidate Zargul Khan also used the helicopter to visit Darband, Palas and Gilgit for his personal business. The PML-N leader added that some PTI leaders were flown to Karak on March 17 for inauguration of development schemes. He recalled that last year the provincial education minister used the official helicopter for the inspection of a school in Lakki Marwat. “The people of the province ask Imran Khan why didn’t he take action against the chief minister and the ministers for misuse of power and public funds,” he asked.

Amir Muqam said providing official helicopter to a candidate was pre-poll rigging and the Election Commission should take action against him. He claimed the PTI chief ignored the misuse of funds to pave the way for his own campaign as he will be contesting the the 2018 general election for the National Assembly seat from Kohistan. “Imran Khan and his PTI-led provincial government have failed to deliver. He cannot win election from the constituencies he won in the 2013 general election so he is planning to contest the next election from Kohistan,” he claimed.Amir Muqam said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser was ineligible to hold his office after being accused of corruption.