Wars of words: PTI, JUI-F engaged in a turf war in K-P

Parties accuse each other of corruption and nepotism.

ISLAMABAD:

A turf war between two major parties in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has climaxed over fresh appointments and postings in the provincial administration. PTI and JUI-F have almost paralysed the district administration in Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan as the two parties hurl charges of corruption and nepotism against each other.

There are cases where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf legislators have violated the law. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl has been quick to lurch onto such opportunities to defame the largest party in the provincial assembly’s ruling coalition.

The newest allegation that has surfaced against the PTI in K-P is unlawful appointment of Dr Jahangir as chief executive (CE), Health, Bannu.

According to documents available with The Express Tribune, Jahangir was appointed giving him preference over two senior-most doctors – Muhammad Iqbal and Safeer Zaman. The appointment was made after K-P chief minister received a recommendation from PTI MPA Shah Muhammad Khan.

Dr Jahangir was a BPS-18 officer who was absent from duty without notice for almost three years. The K-P government had several notice ads about the doctor’s absence and had given March 2011 as the final date by which he was supposed to resume duty.

Bypassing the senior-most doctor for the post, the PTI MPA had recommended to K-P CM that Dr Jahangir was the most suitable candidate. The MPA, in his letter, had also alleged that Muhammad Iqbal was not suitable for the job.

Missing from work for almost three years, Dr Jahangir appeared back as a government servant, this time as a BPS-20 officer, which could be a record for a public servant.

Khan thinks it was the right decision. “Yes, I recommended him [Jahangir]. He is now cleansing corruption in the health department,” he told The Express Tribune.

The PTI MPA accused JUI-F legislators of accepting bribes by recommending needy people for jobs in DI Khan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat.

Responding to the allegations, JUI-F MPA Malik Riaz Khan claimed that PTI leaders have changed the whole structure of districts where JUI-F has dominated in the past, electorally.

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