Social media storm leads to minister’s departure

Caretaker Provincial Transport Minister, Shahid Khattak, tendered his resignation on Monday following a directive from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking his removal from the cabinet.

The decision came in response to a controversy surrounding his participation in an Awami National Party (ANP) rally, which garnered significant attention on social media and sparked public outcry.

The ECP took notice of a viral video featuring Khattak at the event and issued a show cause notice to him before asking the provincial government to remove him from his ministerial position.

In his defense, Khattak clarified that the gathering was not an ANP rally but merely a meeting with some ANP workers at his residence. He claimed that the intention was to discuss the problems faced by the workers rather than hold a political rally.

Expressing gratitude to his party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan for nominating him as a cabinet member, Khattak reaffirmed his commitment to serving the ANP.

He is the second ANP cabinet member to be removed, as Provincial Commerce Minister Adnan Jalil was previously dismissed due to the ANP’s disagreements with Governor Ghulam Ali.

The party accused the governor of luring ANP workers into supporting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).