K-P minister's exit sets rumour mill in motion

Observers speculate factionalism behind Shakil's departure

PESHAWAR:

Was Shakil Ahmad Khan, the former K-P minister for communication and works, removed from his position due to allegations against him, or was he dismissed because of factionalism within the PTI that has been ongoing for years?

This question arose immediately after Shakil Ahmad Khan's exit from the cabinet. According to sources, after a meeting with PTI's founding chairman Imran Khan, evidence regarding mismanagement was presented to a three-member oversight committee during Shakil Ahmad Khan's appearance before the same body.

He was asked to respond to these allegations, but was unable to satisfy the committee with his answers. As a result, the committee submitted its recommendations to the chief minister, urging action against Shakil, and also against a bureaucrat who had already been made an officer on special duty.

Sources indicated that the committee is continuing its work and reviewing complaints against other ministers, advisors, and special assistants. Those who are called in and fail to satisfy the committee will face action, as there is a clear zero-tolerance policy and instructions from the PTI's founding chairman and the chief minister, sources within the party said.

The exit of the provincial minister from the cabinet is being linked to ongoing factionalism within the PTI, which dates back to the era of former chief minister Pervez Khattak. During Khattak's term, there was discord among former provincial ministers Atif Khan and Shahram Tarakai, who were displeased with the then-CM.

During Mahmood Khan's term, this discord escalated to the extent that Atif Khan, Shahram Tarakai, and Shakil Ahmad Khan were removed from the cabinet. However, due to intervention by senior PTI leaders, all three were reinstated.

Now, Shakil Ahmad Khan's removal is being seen as a continuation of these internal conflicts, with efforts being made to identify those behind his dismissal. These individuals, believed to have previously been at the forefront, are now working behind the scenes.

It is noteworthy that former Speaker Asad Qaiser's brother, Aaqibullah Khan, is currently the minister for irrigation in Ali Amin Gandapur's cabinet, while Shahram Tarakai's brother, Faisal Tarakai, is the minister for primary and secondary education.

Additionally, members of the assembly from Mardan, who are supporters of Atif Khan, recently gave provincial ministers a tough time in the house.

After the dismissal of former Shakil Ahmad Khan from the cabinet, internal conflicts within the PTI have also become apparent. Former senior minister and MNA Atif Khan stated in a social media message that he had pointed out corruption in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet when questioned by Imran Khan in jail.

He claimed that a conspiracy was hatched against Shakil Khan, and he would expose the two key figures behind it when the time comes. MNA Junaid Akbar Khan said that he swears by the fact Shakil Khan, the former minister, is an extremely honest person.

"Despite being a minister for ten years, he still does not own a personal vehicle. Even today, he is indebted to his security guards and personal staff." Junaid disagrees with the methods used to trace corruption. "If he were a thief, he would never have complained to Khan."

Junaid Akbar Khan's name initially appeared as a member of the three-member committee established at the provincial level. However, his name was later removed and Brigadier (Retd) Musaddiq Abbasi, the Chief Minister's Special Assistant for Anti-Corruption, was added to the committee.