Fights off opposition’s criticism over development funds, lashes out at ANP

PESHAWAR:

The opposition’s furore over allocation of development funds led to scathing criticism of the Awami National Party (ANP) by Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly on Monday.

In his speech, Khattak lashed out at the ANP, alleging the party had made the province “an auction house” during its tenure when “corruption was endemic”.

Referring to Senator Azam Khan Hoti’s allegations against ANP’s senior leaders, Khattak said an inquiry should be held to ascertain the former ANP leader’s claims. He alleged the ANP had “sold out” the province, adding the Supreme Court should take suo motu notice of Hoti’s accusations.



“They looted the province in their tenure and are now criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s government,” he said, adding the province has decided and voted the ANP out. “They (the ANP) now have no importance.”

“I have been in politics for around 30 years and know a lot. If pushed to a corner, I will spill the secrets,” warned the furious chief minister.

Khattak said under the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal’s government, his brother was not allowed development funds for four years, while he was not given development funds for at least two years when he opted for the opposition benches in the ANP-Pakistan Peoples Party coalition government.

He added the PTI government has not committed any injustice as it was not possible for them to give everything to the opposition.

The issue of development funds was first raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) lawmaker Mufti Syed Janan. He said the new assembly was in its fifth month, yet no developments funds have been released so far.



JUI-F lawmaker Shah Hussain Khan also pointed out the CM had announced Rs20 million for each lawmaker, but later withdrew it and only gave names of about 66 lawmakers who would receive Rs10 million as development funds. He alleged the government was discriminating against opposition lawmakers.

Joining the onslaught, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Sardar Aurangzeb Nalutha said he had received directives for the allocation of Rs30 million and an additional Rs10 million, but these were both cancelled. Another allocation of Rs10 million was later issued, he added.

ANP Parliamentary Leader Sardar Hussain Babak complained the PTI government was bent on political victimisation and questioned the ruling party’s intent over allocating funds to only 66 MPAs. Babak said the government sends notification of Rs30 million and then revokes it the next day, saying it was a ‘clerical mistake’. “How could such a huge amount be a clerical mistake,” he asked.

JUI-F parliamentary leader Maulana Lutfur Rehman also asked the provincial government to clarify its position on this issue.

In response, Minister for Communication and Works Yousaf Ayub Khan said although the earlier notifications were withdrawn, they will soon release funds for opposition lawmakers too. He added consultants were being hired for development schemes to eliminate corruption. “The previous government’s chief minister spent billions of rupees in his constituency. It won’t happen this time.”

Earlier, the house witnessed disturbance as many lawmakers from both sides tried to speak at the same time. However, order was quickly restored by the speaker. The government then presented audit reports on accounts of 24 districts for 2009-2010 along with a report of observance and implementation of policy in relation to the affairs of K-P for 2012. The session was later adjourned till Thursday afternoon.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2013.