A not so apolitical caretaker cabinet
K-P assembly. PHOTO: AFP
The new caretaker cabinet of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is perceived to be comprised of completely apolitical members but in reality it is far from true as some of them hail from political families and others are politician.
For instance, former IGP K-P, Syed Masood Shah is a relative of Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan and a cousin of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Provincial President and former Federal Minister Syed Muhammad Ali Shah.
Similarly, Justice (retired) Irsahad Qaisar was made part of the previous caretaker cabinet on the recommendation of a PPP former minister.
Barrister Feroz Jamal Kakakhel is directly involved in active politics as he contested general elections in 2018 on PPP ticket.
Furthermore, former IGP Zafarullah Khan is also very close to Awami National Party (PTI) despite the fact that denied such reports.
After the dissolution of K-P assembly in January 2023, ANP floated his name for the slot of caretaker chief minister.
The previous caretaker cabinet was dissolved after some of its members were found involved in active politics.
The videos of caretaker minister Shahid Khattak made rounds on social media in which he could be seen attending and addressing an ANP rally in Nowshera district.
This forced the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to take action, first ordering the caretaker chief minister to inquire the matter and later he was directed to sack him.
On this Shahid Khattak submitted his resignation
Another member of the cabinet Adnan Jailik who had the portfolio of commerce and industry was removed after differences between ANP and K-P Governor Haji Ghulam Ali reached its peak.
Adnan was considered close to governor so his party ANP decided to replace him with another party worker from Waziristan.
It is as clear as day light that the previous cabinet is also not different from the previous one as far as political affiliations are concerned although it is smaller in size compared to the past set up.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2023.