Next stop, K-P: Imran faces both criticism, appreciation over frequent visits

Govt officers complain of interference; public says he cleaned up corruption

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan’s frequent visits to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) have drawn mixed reactions from the people.

While some say his visits have given a boost to the development process in the province, government officials have criticised the practice, seeing it as interference in affairs of the government which he himself is not a part of.

The data collected by The Express Tribune revealed PTI chief visited the province seven times in November. In addition to Peshawar, his tours included Charsadda, Swabi and DI Khan. He has already visited the provincial capital once in December.



Distracted by the Centre

While sharing their views, people from different spheres of life told The Express Tribune in the last two years Imran had been focused on the federal government instead of K-P. They pointed out time spent in the long march meant the PTI chief was not really focusing on K-P since the very beginning. Some said after his recent divorce, Imran had more time to visit different parts of the province.

All is well

Commenting on the subject, a shopkeeper in Hashtnagri, Sher Ali Khan, said, “Police in the city used to take bribes and harass people but now their behaviour has changed.” He added, “They have become more efficient and fulfil their duty honestly.”

Another shopkeeper Riaz, who owns a shop in Saddar, remarked, “My business was affected during the previous government’s tenure due to the state of law and order, but after PTI won the provincial government, things have improved.”

A bit of meddling

Government officials said Imran’s visits disrupted the work flow. “His interference in everything disturbs us.” A provincial government department official wishing not to be named alleged, “The PTI chairman puts pressure on Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan to speed up work and in response, the chief secretary asks us to complete tasks in a very short period of time.”



He said government officers, including secretaries and directors, only concentrate on the tasks given by Imran, neglecting other uplift works. He pointed out Imran recently directed the sports directorate to complete the construction of 47 grounds across the province. He added the relevant department abandoned other projects and is now only concentrating on the construction of stadiums.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PTI provincial deputy organizer and MPA Dr Haider Ali said, “People here really appreciate the visits of Imran as he has accelerated the pace of development works in the province.”

He added, “Imran personally met different department heads and assured them of the government’s support.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2015.