PESHAWAR: Instead of acting upon the party chairman’s vision of adopting austerity measures, the total strength of the PTI government’s provincial cabinet has reached 53 members, which is contrary to the PTI’s false narrative.
In his vlog, Senior renowned journalist and analyst Irfan Khan alleged that the expansion of the cabinet and the internal differences of the provincial leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is now visible to everyone.
Irfan Khan said that on the one hand, the KP government is claiming a severe financial crisis and austerity policy in front of the people and workers, while on the other hand, the series of lavish spending and political favors continues without fear or danger.
Journalist Irfan Khan revealed that under a recent announcement issued by the KP govt on July 21, a total of 23 new parliamentary secretaries were appointed. Thus, the total strength of the provincial cabinet has reached a record level of 53, which includes the Chief Minister and 16 ministers, 6 advisors, 8 special assistants and 23 new parliamentary secretaries.
He questioned whether the purpose of Imran Khan’s vision and manifesto was to increase the cabinet’s size to an unprecedented size or whether it was a personal and political agenda of the current Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Referring to the KP Assembly session, he said that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is currently facing severe political resistance and the toughest opposition from within the party. As, four prominent PTI members of the assembly, Usman Bettani, Shah Turab Khan elected from Hangu, Pakhtun Yar elected from Bannu, and former Speaker Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani elected from Abbottabad, opened a front against their own government. These members raised the issue of corruption in government institutions and departments and demanded a transparent investigation.
Irfan Khan further said that on the floor of the assembly, members also raised serious questions regarding the movement being launched for the release of the founder of PTI. The assembly members said that in the name of the liberation movement, the workers are being continuously misled and practically no serious meeting is being called nor is any plan of action of the movement being brought forward.
They pointed out that when these members demanded a transparent investigation into corruption in provincial institutions, some provincial ministers came to their defense after hearing about the investigation and started strongly opposing the investigation.
Irfan Khan, citing party insiders, revealed that some ministers are currently suffering from severe political fear and insecurity. They fear that the factions and growing groupings forming within the party may swallow up their power and ministerial posts.
According to Irfan Khan. the sudden appointment of 23 parliamentary secretaries is actually an attempt to appease members and workers by giving political incentives so that any effective voice or organized group rising from within the party against the Chief Minister or his close ministers can be suppressed and weakened or eliminated at the initial level.
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