Finger pointing: Provincial govt taking orders from Bani Gala, says incensed Sherpao
Maintains his party will provide evidence regarding corruption of PTI ministers.
Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao called a press conference at his residence in Hayatabad. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Wednesday accused the Khyber-Paktunkhwa (K-P) government of taking orders from Bani Gala, the residential area in Islamabad where Imran Khan resides.
“There is no reality in reports that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in majority with 68 seats in the provincial assembly,” said Sherpao while speaking at a news conference at his house. Talking about the chief minister’s move to sack two QWP ministers, he said his party will provide evidence of corruption against the PTI government. He added the provincial government is responsible for its own destabilisation and claimed ministers and MPAs of the ruling party were “busy blackmailing their own government.”
“What the PTI did with us is beyond all traditions and if Imran Khan had any complaints against a QWP minister, he should have consulted me,” said Sherpao. “The proper way was to first carry out an investigation against the ministers after which they would be sacked if the charges were proven.”
Sherpao maintained the PTI did not take coalition partners into confidence before issuing the statement proposing the opening of a Taliban office, halting Nato supplies and other important issues.
The QWP chief was flanked by the party’s Central General Secretary Aneesa Zeb Tahirkheli, provincial president Sikandar Khan Sherpao, and sacked minister Bakht Baidar among others.
Corruption charges
The PTI-led government plans to launch an investigation against the deposed ministers. Bakht Baidar and Ibrar Hussain Tanoli were earlier sacked by the chief minister over charges of corruption.
PTI sources confirmed their leaders were initially only levelling allegations. However, with former minister Baidar serving an Rs1 billion defamation notice to Imran Khan, and Tanoli approaching the Supreme Court, the party is now considering launching a probe against the said ministers.
An insider said accountability will be ensured across the board, regardless of party affiliation. He stressed the inquiry may also include PTI ministers. “The corrupt ministers who were sacked will now have to face an investigation for the wrongdoings they committed,” he added. “The accountability bill of the PTI government is so strong that the CM can also be held accountable.”
K-P Minister for Information Shah Farman told The Express Tribune their government will spare no one found guilty of corruption. “We laid the foundation for taking on corrupt leaders,” he urged.
He said ministers of their own party would also be held accountable and for this purpose the public were asked to register their complaints against any official corruption.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2013.
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Wednesday accused the Khyber-Paktunkhwa (K-P) government of taking orders from Bani Gala, the residential area in Islamabad where Imran Khan resides.
“There is no reality in reports that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in majority with 68 seats in the provincial assembly,” said Sherpao while speaking at a news conference at his house. Talking about the chief minister’s move to sack two QWP ministers, he said his party will provide evidence of corruption against the PTI government. He added the provincial government is responsible for its own destabilisation and claimed ministers and MPAs of the ruling party were “busy blackmailing their own government.”
“What the PTI did with us is beyond all traditions and if Imran Khan had any complaints against a QWP minister, he should have consulted me,” said Sherpao. “The proper way was to first carry out an investigation against the ministers after which they would be sacked if the charges were proven.”
Sherpao maintained the PTI did not take coalition partners into confidence before issuing the statement proposing the opening of a Taliban office, halting Nato supplies and other important issues.
The QWP chief was flanked by the party’s Central General Secretary Aneesa Zeb Tahirkheli, provincial president Sikandar Khan Sherpao, and sacked minister Bakht Baidar among others.
Corruption charges
The PTI-led government plans to launch an investigation against the deposed ministers. Bakht Baidar and Ibrar Hussain Tanoli were earlier sacked by the chief minister over charges of corruption.
PTI sources confirmed their leaders were initially only levelling allegations. However, with former minister Baidar serving an Rs1 billion defamation notice to Imran Khan, and Tanoli approaching the Supreme Court, the party is now considering launching a probe against the said ministers.
An insider said accountability will be ensured across the board, regardless of party affiliation. He stressed the inquiry may also include PTI ministers. “The corrupt ministers who were sacked will now have to face an investigation for the wrongdoings they committed,” he added. “The accountability bill of the PTI government is so strong that the CM can also be held accountable.”
K-P Minister for Information Shah Farman told The Express Tribune their government will spare no one found guilty of corruption. “We laid the foundation for taking on corrupt leaders,” he urged.
He said ministers of their own party would also be held accountable and for this purpose the public were asked to register their complaints against any official corruption.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2013.