Two resignations and a bleak future

Ehtesab DG, TEVTA vice chairman’s resignations put CM in embarrassing position

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government finds itself between a rock and a hard place after two leading officials decided to step down from their posts. Earlier this week, Lieutenant General (retd) Hamid Khan, the director general of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission, and Senator Nauman Wazir, vice chairman of Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), resigned from office.

Both officials were respectable dignitaries and their decision to resign has put Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in an embarrassing position.

Hamid’s resignation has triggered debates and speculations in various quarters. In his resignation letter, the former DG has drawn attention to some of his “frustrations” he encountered in ensuring accountability.

As per the letter, there was a divergence of opinion on how the K-P Ehtesab Commission Act 2014 should be interpreted and “persistent interference in the operational matter”. These factors influenced his decision to throw in the towel.

Clipped wings

Under Hamid’s guidance, the commission conducted 90 enquiries, 43 investigations and filed 13 references.  For the first time in the history of K-P, ministers and senior bureaucrats were arrested on corruption charges.



It goes without saying the procedure adopted by the commission irked a number of government officials and opposition leaders. Various political representatives had repeatedly urged the government to amend the 2014 legislation underpinning the Ehtesab Commission.

Responding to these requests, the PTI-led government decided to introduce a series of amendments. However, the changes to the law prompted Hamid to step down. He maintained the amendments have rendered the DG’s post redundant. The process of accountability and the autonomy of the commission were thrown into question, said Hamid.

Political interference

Wazir’s decision to call it quits was prompted by similar reasons. The former TEVTA vice chairman resigned on grounds of political interference. However, his initial appointment is also believed to have contravened Article 63 of the Constitution – a matter of holding dual office.

As a result, the portfolio of technical education has been delegated to Qaumi Watan Party leader Arshad Ali Umarzai by the chief minister. However, Wazir has accused Umarzai of using political interference in TEVTA. There were rifts between both officials over postings, appointments, powers and authority.

Spiralling out of control

Many PTI activists are questioning the senator’s unceremonious removal to favour a QWP leader. Although the government may have viable justifications for its action, the resignation of both officials could trigger instability.

Change is afoot within the ranks of PTI and this could create problems for many responsible officials. PTI has incensed opposition leaders several time and its coalition partners do not display any interest in achieving the agenda of the coalition government.

In addition, the security situation has also escalated after the Bacha Khan University attack. Target killing, kidnapping for ransom and extortion are on rise all over the province. The assassination of Haji Haleem Jan has exposed the incompetence of law-enforcement agencies.

Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan’s decision to step down as governor is likely to be harmful to the chief minister. As governor, Mehtab threw his weight behind the provincial government. It is still early to say if his successor will adopt a similar approach.

At this stage, responsibility rests with none other than PTI Chairperson Imran Khan to take the matter seriously as his party’s future depends on the K-P government’s performance. Instead of monitoring the provincial government’s performance through social media, he needs to closely monitor its policies. Moreover, Imran must not entertain all requests of the coalition partners.

He must devise his strategies through mutual consultation. This will help him handle affairs throughout the country in general and K-P in particular.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th,  2016.