According to Ayaz, reports of her alleged involvement in corrupt practices while she was minister for the social welfare department between 2008 and 2013 are completely baseless and have been fabricated to malign her. STOCK IMAGE
Former provincial social welfare minister and senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Sitara Ayaz has denied corruption allegations levelled against her.
Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, she insisted some elements within the government were allegedly trying to tarnish her political image.
According to Ayaz, reports of her alleged involvement in corrupt practices while she was minister for the social welfare department between 2008 and 2013 are completely baseless and have been fabricated to malign her.
“While I was minister, I transferred Tahira, an employee from my ministry, from Peshawar to Nowshera,” she said. “Shortly after the incident, I began receiving threatening phone calls and text messages and informed the police.”
Ayaz accused Tahira of sending her threatening text messages. Police investigation confirmed this information and registered a case against Tahira. Although the ministry’s employee was later acquitted by the court, she approached the Justice of Peace and sued Ayaz “for torturing her mentally”.
“She (Tahira) approached Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Peshawar High Court against me but her pleas were rejected each time,” the ANP leader said.
According to Ayaz, one of Tahira’s relatives was part of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ehtesab Commission, which was investigating charges against the social welfare department.
“I strongly urge the official to distance himself from the investigation,” she said.
Ayaz insisted she was facing political victimisation and some of her own relatives in the K-P Assembly were also hatching schemes to tarnish her political career.
“I did not make any illegal appointments in the department during my tenure,” she said. “The matter is open to investigation. However, the government needs to stop victimising me because of my political associations. My family has also had to bear the brunt of their constant harassment.”
The ANP leader added she was now considering taking the matter to court.
“Between 2008 and 2013, the social welfare department launched several projects,” she said. “However, the current government seems to have relinquished some of these projects.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2015.
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