Abbottabad TMC opposition threatens to block KKH

Demand inquiry and legal action against TMO for alleged corruption and illegal appointments

ABBOTTABAD: Opposition members of the Abbottabad tehsil council on Monday threatened to block Karakoram Highway if their demand of an inquiry and legal action against the tehsil municipal officer (TMO) for alleged corruption and illegal appointments was not met.

The convener, Sardar Shujah Ahmed, chaired the evening session where 22 out of 57 opposition members lashed out at the TMO for his alleged involvement in corruption and illegal appointment of two women teachers at skill development centres, a driver and an office boy without the necessary requirements.

The members claimed the TMO took tehsil nazim Ishaq Sulemani and the council hostage and their nexus was costing Abbottabad dearly.

They said if the government failed to transfer the TMO from Abbottabad and launch an enquiry, they would protest on March 7 and block KKH. After one-and-a-half hours of censure and debate, Ahmed adjourned the session till March 18.

Those who criticised the TMO and tehsil nazim included Ansar Abbasi, Malik Asif, Advocate Waseem Ahmed, Riaz Qureshi, Adil Abbasi, Shoaib Abbasi and Jabrial Abbasi.

When contacted, Ishaq Sulemani termed the session of opposition “unlawful”. He added such sessions did little to serve public interest and he accused the convener, along with the opposition, of creating obstacles in the uplift process.