PPP denies allegations against governor

LAHORE:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders have vehemently rejected allegations of corruption levelled against Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and the party's Central Punjab general secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza.

The accusations, made by a former media coordinator of the Governor House in a viral video message, claim that both leaders accepted a hefty bribe in exchange for appointing the accuser to an advisory role.

A senior party official close to the governor, who is familiar with the situation, dismissed the claims as "a cock and bull story," challenging the accuser, Sardar Zulfiqar, to provide any evidence.

The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing a handcuffed man identifying himself as Sardar Zulfiqar Ali, a former media coordinator to the Punjab governor.

In the video, Zulfiqar claimed he had paid Rs70 million to secure the advisory role, accusing PPP General Secretary Hasan Murtaza, a man named Ajsam, and Governor Haider of involvement in the alleged deal.

However, despite paying the bribe, he alleged that he was later removed from the post. He also claimed he was facing a politically motivated case and was being taken to Camp Jail.

Zulfiqar further claimed that he had contested elections from NA-263 Quetta on a PML-N ticket and appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the judiciary to intervene.

He further alleged that one "Mian Salman," who he claimed was acting as a frontman for military generals, had used the name of the chief of army staff to intimidate him and was the complainant in the case against him.

Fact-Check

While Zulfiqar was indeed appointed as media coordinator to the Punjab governor on December 24, 2024, his claim of contesting elections on a PML-N ticket was misleading. Records confirm that he ran as an independent candidate from NA-263 Quetta in the 2024 general elections and secured only 103 votes.

According to a senior PPP leader, Zulfiqar was introduced to the Governor House through common friends of Hasan Murtaza. He was appointed as a media coordinator with the hope of establishing better ties with the business community. However, he was later denotified after allegations of financial misconduct surfaced against him.

"The dispute is between Salman and Zulfiqar—it has nothing to do with Governor Punjab or Hasan Murtaza," a party official clarified, accusing Zulfiqar of giving a "political colour" to a personal financial disput e.

Responding to questions about Zulfiqar's background and why he was entrusted with the role, the party insider admitted, "This is where our leadership erred. His background was never properly vetted before his appointment".

Following the controversy, the governor has officially announced that his office has no coordinators and assured that no further coordinators will be appointed in the future.

Several senior PPP figures have expressed frustration over the issue, arguing that the governor's office should not be reduced to a "laughing stock".

A senior party leader said, "It doesn't matter whether a bribe was taken or not. What matters is the sheer negligence in appointing a dubious individual". Another senior party member said that this was not the first instance of such allegations within PPP circles, adding that more cases of a similar nature were being discussed internally. He defended the governor, calling him an "honourable man", but cast doubt on some individuals within his close circle.

Amid growing murmurs within the party, sources suggest that the issue will likely be discussed during a March 24 Iftar dinner being hosted in honour of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at Governor House.

PPP leader Hasan Murtaza talking to The Express Tribune rubbished the claims of Sardar Zulfiqar stating that how can FIRs lodged against Zulfiqar prior to him becoming the coordinator that too for a brief stint, have anything to do with him or the governor. He challenged Zulfiqar to bring forward any shred of evidence to back his frivolous claim of bribery. He said that his allegations of giving seventy million to him and others were laughable. Asked that where many in the party vouched for his and governors integrity, there they question scrutiny process conducted before selecting the said individual for this portfolio, he conceded that they had erred in selecting Sardar Zulfiqar. He said he was presented as notable of the trader community by his acquaintance.