Looking for unbiased referees: Concerns expressed over CM investigating corrupt officials
PML-N questions Khattak’s neutrality as he was involved in appointing ministers.
The party’s leaders also questioned the legality of the various contracts awarded for development activities in K-P. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) provincial leadership expressed apprehensions on Sunday about handing over investigation of allegedly corrupt officials to the chief minister (CM).
Talking to the media at the Peshawar Press Club, PML-N Provincial General Secretary Rahmat Salam clarified although his party’s lawmakers will not move a motion of no confidence in the assembly against the officials allegedly involved in corruption, handing over authority to the CM Pervez Khattak to investigate the matter was unacceptable.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has already taken note of alleged embezzlement by some provincial ministers and directed Khattak to take action against the accused. On Sunday Khan claimed all those proved guilty would be removed from the ministries.
Appreciating Khan’s stance, Salam said, “Even though Khan has promised stern action, vesting all the authority with CM Khattak to carry out investigation will never bring the corrupt to justice.”
“How can the CM take action against the ministers he appointed himself,” questioned Salam. The PTI does not have a simple majority in the assembly, pointed out Salam. Khattak would never want to take action against ministers belonging to coalition parties because that would jeopardise his government in K-P, stipulated Salam. The PML-N demanded Khan initiate investigation against accused officials by Transparency International Pakistan or an independent judicial authority to avoid undue influence.
The party’s leaders also questioned the legality of the various contracts awarded for development activities in K-P.
“All appointments made during the PTI-led government have been made against merit and on political grounds,” accused Salam.
PML-N will support PTI in eradicating corrupt elements from the government, stated provincial vice president Afzal Khan Paniala.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th,2013.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) provincial leadership expressed apprehensions on Sunday about handing over investigation of allegedly corrupt officials to the chief minister (CM).
Talking to the media at the Peshawar Press Club, PML-N Provincial General Secretary Rahmat Salam clarified although his party’s lawmakers will not move a motion of no confidence in the assembly against the officials allegedly involved in corruption, handing over authority to the CM Pervez Khattak to investigate the matter was unacceptable.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has already taken note of alleged embezzlement by some provincial ministers and directed Khattak to take action against the accused. On Sunday Khan claimed all those proved guilty would be removed from the ministries.
Appreciating Khan’s stance, Salam said, “Even though Khan has promised stern action, vesting all the authority with CM Khattak to carry out investigation will never bring the corrupt to justice.”
“How can the CM take action against the ministers he appointed himself,” questioned Salam. The PTI does not have a simple majority in the assembly, pointed out Salam. Khattak would never want to take action against ministers belonging to coalition parties because that would jeopardise his government in K-P, stipulated Salam. The PML-N demanded Khan initiate investigation against accused officials by Transparency International Pakistan or an independent judicial authority to avoid undue influence.
The party’s leaders also questioned the legality of the various contracts awarded for development activities in K-P.
“All appointments made during the PTI-led government have been made against merit and on political grounds,” accused Salam.
PML-N will support PTI in eradicating corrupt elements from the government, stated provincial vice president Afzal Khan Paniala.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th,2013.