The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) levelled explosive allegations against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial government, alleging that the party misled the public and gave its full consent to the military operation in Tirah Valley.
The Tirah Operation: Consent or Contradiction?
During a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Dr. Ibadullah Khan, the Opposition Leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, dropped a bombshell. He claimed that despite the PTI’s current public stance against the military offensive in Tirah, the provincial government was actually the one to approve it.
- Financial Backing: Dr. Ibadullah insisted that the PTI-led provincial government released Rs4 billion specifically for the Tirah operation.
- The “Double Game”: He accused PTI leadership of “singing a different tune” in public to mislead the masses, despite their private administrative consent.
- Open Alternatives: The federal government, he noted, had always been open to alternative suggestions to the military offensive if the PTI had provided any.
Also Read: Chief Minister Afridi rejects military operations, demands 550bn rupees for tribal districts
Allegations of ‘Facilitating’ Militancy
The rhetoric sharpened as Dr. Ibadullah accused the provincial administration of “effectively facilitating and supporting” terrorists rather than opposing them.
He pointed to historical events to bolster his argument, mentioning:
- The 2021 Kabul Visit: He raised questions regarding former ISI chief Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed’s immediate visit to Kabul after the Taliban takeover.
- The NAP Sabotage: He claimed that while Nawaz Sharif brought all parties together for the National Action Plan (NAP) following the 2014 APS massacre, current provincial elements are undermining that very plan.
- Proposals to the Taliban: Dr. Ibadullah alleged that PTI founder Imran Khan had previously proposed offering ministerial slots and offices within Pakistan to the Taliban.
Also Read: Khyber Peace Jirga: The Promise of Peace Amid Echoes Of The Past
Governance and The “Rs10 Trillion” Question
Beyond security, the PML-N leadership took aim at the province’s economic state. Dr. Ibadullah highlighted a massive discrepancy in funding and development:
- NFC Award Funds: He claimed KP has received Rs10 trillion from the Federation under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, yet development is invisible.
- Infrastructure Deficit: In a stinging critique, he alleged that not a single primary school, university, hospital, or basic health unit has been established in the province over the last 13 years.
- Institutional Reliance: He noted that KP still lacks a proper Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and forensic laboratory, forcing the province to rely on Punjab’s facilities.
“The public mandate was meant for service, not for ‘street politics’ and touring other provinces,” Dr. Ibadullah remarked, referencing the Chief Minister’s recent activities.
Also Read: ANP’s National Peace Jirga Calls for Judicial Probe, Peace Talks Amid Rising Insecurity In KP
The Wheat Scandal and “Street Politics”
Murtaza Javed Abbasi, PML-N’s KP General Secretary, joined the fray with allegations of corruption and mismanagement:
- The Wheat Crisis: Abbasi claimed that while wheat is rotting in provincial warehouses, it is not being released to the public. He further alleged that authorities purchased cheap wheat at inflated rates to pocket the difference.
- Misuse of Resources: He accused the PTI of diverting provincial resources away from public welfare to secure the release of Imran Khan from jail.
- Security Concerns: While soldiers and police sacrifice their lives, Abbasi alleged the provincial leadership refuses to participate in peace jirgas and continues to back disruptive elements.
Conclusion: A Province at a Crossroads
The PML-N’s detailed charges paint a picture of a province struggling with a “governance vacuum,” where political point-scoring takes precedence over security and basic infrastructure. As the war of words intensifies, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain caught between federal claims and provincial counter-claims.
