Ex-PTI members barred from meeting K-P CM, Imran

ABBOTTABAD: Abbottabad nazim Sardar Bahadur and naib nazim Shaukat Tanoli were barred from attending an event in Nathiagali which the chief minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan were expected to attend.

Speaking at a news conference, Bahadur confirmed that he, along with the naib nazim, was not allowed to attend the event organised by Tourism Corporaton Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) at Retreat House Nathiagali. The function had been organised to formally open government rent houses and launch a  web portal for the public to rent these lodges.

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"The decision was taken on the orders of Khattak," he said. "We were invited to TCKP. However, when we were travelling towards the venue Abbottabad AC Mir Raza informed me over the phone that Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan has asked them not to turn up at the event on CM's orders."

According to the district nazim, the decision has been taken because Khattak cannot face them after they defeated his nominees Ali Jadoon and Sardar Waqar Nabi in Abbottabad district.

"We will challenge this decision in court," he said. Bahadur and Tanoli are former PTI members. They run even though the party nominated other for LG polls.

Debt of gratitude

Speaking at the ceremony, Imran said Retreat House was previously used by the chief secretary. "However, he brought on a unique change by being one of the first people to hand over administrative control of his property to TCKP," he said.

Similarly, "other officials have also voluntarily transferred their properties to TCKP so that they can be converted into rent houses."

According to the PTI chief, such gestures may appear to be small but this is the philosphy, which will direct the country towards a new Pakistan.

"At least Rs20 million was being spent on these rent houses from the provincial exchequer and they will generate revenue which will be spent on the development of Galiyat," he said.

"An independent authority will be set up to manage these rest houses." Imran added no private leases will be offered  for the rest houses.

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"Governor House is also a burden on taxpayers," he said. "It is always empty and the Governor seldom visits it. We need to stop such practices and create a new tax culture."

The PTI chief congratulated the chief minister and his team for commercialising these rent houses.

"New ammendments have been initiated  in the Galiyat Development Authority which will give more autonomy to bring positive change in the region."