PESHAWAR: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf has begun investigation against some ministers and advisers in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for their alleged corruption.
According to sources in the ruling party here yesterday, those found to be corrupt will be sacked.
“At least three provincial ministers and advisers elected on PTI ticket face investigation over corrupt practices. There is a greater likelihood that they will be expelled soon,” a source said.
He said corruption was on top of PTI election agenda, which helped the party candidates emerge winners in the May 11 electoral exercise. The source said after expelling two coalition ally Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) ministers from the provincial cabinet, top PTI leadership was under criticism for sparing own ministers.
“Our leadership will make no compromise on corruption. A high-level committee working directly under Chairman Imran Khan is looking into corruption charges against party’s ministers and other position-holders in the government and will expel those found guilty of misappropriation of public money or offices,” he said.
The source said in the province, only the chief minister knew about the corruption charges against the people facing probe. Other sources in PTI said the party leadership was unhappy at the alleged involvement of own ministers in corrupt practices though they were voted to power by the people to work against corruption. They said the ministers and advisers facing investigation were allegedly involved in misusing their official positions for making “purchases and securing contracts.”
A PTI minister wishing not to be named said there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Imran Khan would spare members of own party.
“Anyone involved in corruption will have to face the music. There are also complaints against some ministers about transfers and appointments of senior positions in volition of laid down criteria. These ministers are also facing probe,” he said.
The minister said the ideological PTI activists, who had been associated with Imran Khan and the party since long, knew that the party had come of age after 17 years of its foundation and was supposed to deliver and end corruption.
“Even those supporting Imran Khan’s campaign against occupation could face action,” he said. He said the PTI chief had already indicated that there would be no warning to those involved in unlawful activities and that they would be shown the door at once.
Internews
