File photo of PTI leader Pervez Khattak. Photo: NNI
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been blamed for going against its slogan of change after taking charge of the provincial government.
The allegations emerged after Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Pervez Khattak last Wednesday appointed 10 lawmakers as advisers and special assistants who will enjoy ministerial-level powers and are entitled to the same facilities.
A PTI insider on the condition of anonymity admitted differences over the allotment of ministries were still prevailing within the party, adding this was causing disappointment among activists.
The PTI insider claimed there were two groups within the party. The first was led by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and the second by K-P Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.
“Those individuals who were not given ministries have been adjusted as advisors who have powers similar to those of a minister,” he explained. “Persistent rifts have compelled party workers to write letters of complaints to PTI chief Imran Khan.”
Constitutional expert Quresh Khattak explained provincial cabinets were limited to 15 ministers, including the chief minister, under the 18th Amendment. He said Clause 130 (6), which was introduced by the amendment, clearly defined the size of the cabinet. “The cabinet is to be collectively responsible to the provincial assembly and its total strength is not to exceed 15 members under Article 130.”
Awami National Party (ANP) Information Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain told The Express Tribune the PTI government was failing to bring good governance back to the province, adding K-P was already engulfed by a plethora of chronic challenges.
He said the PTI was bound to obey rules envisaged under the 18th Constitutional Amendment. “However, these additional advisors and special assistants are making this government’s reign similar to those of past rulers. It can be said that the government has 25 ministers after 10 advisors and special assistants, vested with ministerial powers, are coupled with 15 appointed members of the cabinet.”
The former information minister questioned why special assistants were being tasked with overseeing a range of portfolios such as mining and minerals, higher education and population welfare as if they were ministers. He alleged incumbent ministers were taking full advantage of their incentives and perks, which they had promised their voters they would stay away from.
“Over Rs15 million in additional expenditures for advisors and special assistants groups is a burden on the provincial exchequer,” he argued, adding this had also weakened confidence in the new government. Hussain criticised leaders of the provincial government for being involved in a tug of war over ministries, while militants were regrouping and taking advantage of the party’s internal weaknesses.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2013.
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just a correction please. Mian Iftikhar Hussain is not information Secretary but working as a political worker and is provincial campaign incharge for 22 aug 2013 bye-election
the mian problem is the lack of national policies and patriotism. There are un experienced people with pti that's why they are un able to solve the problems and go through their slogan of peace,proseperity, revolution. etc.
@Muslim Leaguer: The governments are made to rule and they are doing the same thing, what else is wrong in it. The voters have shown confidence, than why other people are jealous with them. Khatak do what ever you want, voters are with you.
PTI trolls have lost patience to read any criticism on their "model" government. Following the path of their Lifetime Chairman Imran Khan Niazi, the burger kids of PTI have only & only one ability or disability i.e., to criticise mindlessly! Their inability is exhibiting in the bad governance in KPK through cronyism (nominating Lifetime Chairman's school friend Pervez Khattak as Chief Minister), nepotism (Khattak inducting his 3 female family members against reserved seats), misgovernance and incompetence. PTI is committing the same mistakes due to which it used to criticise ANP's provincial government e.g., blocking the NATO supply line, failure to stop drone attacks, failure to prevent suicide attacks etc and now cunningly passes the buck on the federal government.
It about time Imran Khan should take Control of PTI direction. His leadership momentum had a temporary setback. But now that he has somewhat recovered he must get back to driving seat or his righteously inspired dream of New Pakistan will be hijacked by not so strong ideological and opportunist members of his party.
So far his nominated KPK chief Minister has failed to make any impact in governance and it is evident that haggling for portfolios is still rampant with in the PTI ranks in KPK assembly. The PTI cabinet member numbers are swelling to accommodate factions within the party.
it is a cause of concern.If Imran fails to deliver in KPK his credibility will me tarnished beyond repair and those who shared his dream and voted for him will be extremely disappointed.
wow....not even a month in the office and people start blaming for failures. ...what an irony?
I appreciate the efforts done by Tribune to keep the government on its toes. It is the responsibility of the media to inform people about failures of politicians. Inside PTI we are also keeping an eye on our government in KPK and we are confident we will deliver the results with the continued involvement of our district teams in the affairs of the party.
Clapping for Express tribune! Yellow journalism at its worst! How much did the govt really pay you? You can judge a govt within a one month oh right! Btw ANP walaas did so much damage, how can they expect one to fix those problems within a month! The fact is et has lost a reader! Shame on you express tribune!
@sgrr: My dear, Government is made to serve not rule. I feel sorry on your thinking. That's why we have President like Zardari.
@Asif rajper: Mr. Rajper, if you have read my comments by using brain, you woule have reached the message I have given therein, which is for the people who understand how to criticize and how to praise. But I dont mind as the English is not the native language. Cheeeeeeeeer.
Congratulations ET! you have lost a reader today. For the past few days the headlines you've been making have been the worst kind of journalism. Your sources are nonexistent, your writing is mediocre, and your journalism is so completely biased. The fact that you haven't posted a single news story about the PMLN, not a single opinon, critical analysis or op-ed about PMLN has drawn me to the conclusion that, you just like the mainstream media have been bought out. There is no such thing as responsible journalism left. Even the article that you just posted about MQM and PTI supporting Musharaff was baseless! you had no relevent sources! furthermore just an FYI any claims regarding to help or support Mush has been denied and clarifyed by PTI media spokesperson Ms. Shireen Mazari. PTI has always said it supports the constitution and respects the courts, It posted a press release on its website YESTERDAY for goodness sake, how did a respected newspaper miss that? I'm forced to believe it chose to ignore it. It's utterly shameful! You've lost all credibility, I'll make sure to verify every news gotten from here from some independent source.
@Blunt: Nonsense, Federal Govt is not doing such foolish things against their Slogans.
@Ashar, Hira ... i support you..
Too early to call.
In my opinion, both KP and Federal government have been performing fairly well so far. They seem very proactive compared to previous governments.
I refuse to get on board and speak out my judgements this early.
Wow I guess ET just hates PTI don't they? What about PMLN living up to their expectations? Announcing a few days after the elections, "oh sorry we were lying to you during the campaign, we're not going to fix the electricity problem in two years." PTI is doing better than expected actually. They're going to bring the baldiati elections with biometrics, they're bringing an independent NAB with stellar anti-corruption tactics. And who in Pakistan has ever brought in, or even talked about, the conflict of interest law?
Only want to say after reading this. I have more respect for KPK government and i would say that this is the right track. Rather employing 5 ministers you give 1 minister 4 assistants. That will make the system more productive ... Guys this is the right track.... and All you guys KPK is a coalition government....so lets keep that in mind.
While defending PTI with statements like 'other govts are doing the same', the PTI supporters forget that their party specifically promised 'Change'. Unfortunately, it is business as usual in KP too and no real change is visible.
@ allthosePTItrollswhichhavebeensayingthatonemonthistooshorttojudgethem
Your leader has been trumpeting the end of corruption in 90 days if put to power! Where are those tall claims? They are as mediocre as anyone.
Lame excuses from PTI suppoerters.
too early to pass such a judgment. lame article!
ET, Personal bias should not be reflected on newspaper policy. I am not PTI follower but I see that either you people are expecting too much from them or are against them.
Learn to take the criticism PTI supporters and try look at things from an unbiased perspective.
It'll do you good.
So the pti is just like any other political party? I am shocked - shocked!! - to hear this.
Agreed , we need to give them some time and see wheather they can comply with their promises and the real change the elimation of Easy Load
I guess Express Tribune is created to sideline #PTI BUT people will keep on supporting Imran Khan and #PTI
If a strict check is not applied PTI will be corrupted like other parties. Activism shown by party workers and other parties is useful for PTI
If they have cut down on non-development expenditures, then what is the need to criticize them for assistants and advisors. We have nothing to do with the cabinet and advisors, the ultimate objective is to provide relief to the people by putting the province on the road of prosperity.
1 month in and failing to live up to promises? Nice one.
blind pti trolls at it again blindly defending every wrong that PTI does...excuses..excuses...excuses
It looks like Ittehad steel is paying media good....
Give them some time....if PTI is unable to deliver than we talk...PML N has been given 2 times Power and they didnt deliver still we voted for them again....give PTI atleast a year or 2 to prove themselves...
if this is wrong PTI should sue ET, but if this is true they have a lot to explain to their supporters like me :-/
@sgrr. ohh. than why you people criticize PPP for taking some more minster in their cabinet., they also try to rule in the province, don't discriminate plz.. say truth although it is against your party to whom you support.
@moeed: this is related to PTI and ED got the job.
ET has forgotten that its PML-N that has formed majority government at the centre - not PTI. How much critical analysis have been done on PML-N? Oh wait, they're perfect and they're following every word they said before the elections with actions, so how can one criticize them?
give them some time . let make a decesion whether they have delievered or not after a year.
Well according to constitution PTI is allowed to have 15 ministers and 5 advisor... and currently they have 12 ministers and 5 advisor while 5 special assistants will not get perks and privileges of a ministers .. so technically speaking its 12 ministers and 5 advisor cabinet ...
Anp should stop criticising. They have ruined kpk.
PTI has just one good man thats their leader, and you will see this in coming weeks too
is this article worthy of front page headline
The governments are made to rule and they are doing the same thing, what else is wrong in it. The voters have shown confidence, than why other people are jealous with them. Khatak do what ever you want, voters are with you.
When e repeat same thing about federal government, they say it;s too early, give them some time. But unfortunately, few people here are too eager to see PTI fail.