Power struggle leads to minister’s removal

Adnan Jalil loses K-P cabinet berth amid ANP vs governor clash

PESHAWAR:

Governor Haji Ghulam Ali of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has finally approved the summary for the removal of Provincial Commerce Minister Adnan Jalil.

The governor had previously rejected the request twice, citing political prejudice and financial constraints as reasons for his decision. However, under the Constitution, the governor is obligated to act on the advice of the chief minister and the provincial cabinet, leaving him no choice but to sign the request and dismiss Jalil.

Adnan Jalil, the son of late Haji Muhammad Adil, who was an influential member of the Awami National Party (ANP) and a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), had close ties with the governor.

The governor himself is a prominent businessman in Peshawar and a fierce rival of Ilyas Bilour from the ANP in the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

The request sent by the chief minister recommended Matiullah Jan of the ANP as the new commerce minister, replacing Adnan Jalil, and proposed Ashrafullah as the special assistant to the chief minister on sports.

The ANP Provincial General Secretary, Sardar Hussain Babek, informed journalists that the party had withdrawn the nomination of Adnan Jalil as commerce minister due to complaints received against him.

He emphasized that the decision was made by the ANP and that late Haji Muhammad Adil’s strong affiliation with the ANP had led to the appointment of Adnan Jalil as a caretaker provincial minister. However, due to the alleged association between Jalil and the governor, the ANP had no choice but to withdraw his nomination.

Babek further explained that the ANP had suggested Ashraf Dawar from Waziristan as a replacement candidate because the tribal districts had been neglected in the past.

Given the challenges of terrorism in the former tribal belt, the ANP sought representation in the provincial cabinet to facilitate rapid development in these areas.

Babek added that the ANP’s decision to nominate young and energetic candidates in the upcoming elections was supported by the party’s entire leadership.

ANP and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) are considered the main rivals in the next general elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Governor Ghulam Ali, known for his influential role in decision-making regarding the appointment and transfer of bureaucrats, has been accused by the ANP of trying to lure ANP workers to the JUI-F, taking advantage of his position.

ANP maintains that all decisions made by the party are aimed at the betterment of the general public and the party’s workers. They assure that the opinions and wishes of party workers will be taken into consideration in shaping the party’s future course.

This decision follows the ANP’s withdrawal of Jalil’s nomination due to complaints against him. The ANP intends to nominate new candidates for the upcoming elections and seeks representation in the provincial cabinet to address the developmental needs of the neglected tribal districts.

Governor Ghulam Ali’s perceived influence and alleged actions have strained relations between the ANP and the ruling party, JUI-F, leading to political tensions in the province.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2023.