Farhan Ahmad

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) has got an honor of making government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for the second time. First tenure of PTI, allied with other political parties in KP from 2013-2018, under the ruler-ship of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, went smoothly. However, the current government, led by Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, has been countering severe intraparty issues. The running government in KP has shifted its complete focus on disputes within the party from province’s progress. Initially, after assuming charge, Mehmood Khan went on political quarrel with Governor KP Shah Farman. Mehmood Khan was angry with Governor alleging that he interferes in government affairs which he is legally not allowed to do so. Governor and CM had clashes over former FATA merging issues. Governor constituted a committee for merged districts which infuriated CM as after merging of former FATA into KP, CM is to take decisions for all the merged areas. The news regarding CM and Governor Clashes took place in media which forced central leadership to step-in. Afterward, a meeting with Journalists, led by CM and Governor, was conducted in order to express a gesture that all the news about clashes are baseless. On the contrary, nothing could pay off and the clashes between both the parties are still there.

After the first upset, another political quarrel raised within the government for Mehmood Khan. Information Minister of KP Shokat Yousafzai and Spokesman of KP government Ajmal Wazir exchanged harsh words during the cabinet meeting, held in Khyber, merged district. Shokat Yousfazai stood with a stance that he is to brief media after cabinet meeting however, Ajmal Wazir considered that it’s his duty. Mehmood Khan took side of Mr. Wazir which enraged Shokat Yousafzai and from this point, another clash for Mehmood Khan raised. The following day in the newspapers, CM was played down and on the contrary, Mr. Yousafzai had got immense coverage including a big banner photo on the front page. Mehmood Khan and Shokat Yousafzai both are from the same group, led by former CM Pervez Khattak so, it multiplied CM’s difficulties, facing opposition within the group.

Mr. Mehmood Khan was not even out of the shock that another clash was fueled up. Two ministers of his cabinet got some disagreements with him, which sparked another opposition for CM. Local Government Minister Shahram Tarakae and Senior Minister Atif Khan belongs to different group and the group was created soon after the 2018 general elections. Actually this clash is traced back to the selection of Mehmood Khan as a CM. Atif Khan was the leading name for CM KP but due to oppositions from other groups within party, Imran Khan had to entitle Mehmood Khan as CM. Since then, two ministers are having severe disagreements with government but at one point this clash made its way to political arena and that was launching of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). CM Mehmood Khan ensured public, in his interviews to media, that BRT will be inaugurated on March 23 but due to incomplete construction work, it couldn’t happen so, CM replaced DG PDA while relevant minister Shahram Tarakae was out of country. It played the role of catalyst in the already existed clash. Mr. Tarakae and Atif Khan called on Imran Khan and expressed their reservations. Imran Khan directed CM to shift back his focus on his domain while seeking performance report of his cabinet.

The above mentioned clashes within the government of KP tired central leadership of the party. On the advice of central bureaucracy of Prime Minister Office, Imran Khan directed his advisor Mr. Iftikhar Durrani to visit Peshawar and stay there until all the issues are resolved. Iftikhar Durrani came to Peshawar and held a meeting with local Journalists. This meeting was held to use Journalists as mouth pieces of PTI. Mr. Durrani poured out his heart, as directed so that Journalists can pave way for what they are planning to do ahead. It was discussed in the meeting that mega project of Peshawar BRT is Mr. Khattak’s project and Imran Khan was never agreed to it. Mr. Durrani also indicated that government will appreciate if NAB carries out investigation in BRT. Soon after this meeting, a report of Provincial Inspection Team about BRT is leaked to media which states that BRT was unneeded project and has wasted public money and time. How come this report escaped the government office, after Mr. Durrani’s meeting with journalists, is a question which should be answered by everyone out of their common sense. Since that day, Mr. Durrani and advisor Arbab Shehzad have become unofficially empowered Governor, Chief Minister and two-man Cabinet of the KP province. All the three main bodies of the province have become toothless.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is paying for internal party issues of PTI. The clashes, Mehmood Khan is facing coupled with severe interference in provincial bureaucracy from center have affected KP’s growth immensely. A rapid postings and transfers are being done in KP directly from center and CM stands nowhere in it. Chief Secretary and Inspector General were replaced and current incumbents are said to be blue eyed people of central bureaucracy. The news of central control on provincial bureaucracy was confirmed when KP’s Director Archeology Abdul Samad was arrested by the NAB and government took massive stand for him even Prime Minister. Provincial bureaucracy also stood by arrested director. It is known to people that Abdul Samad has excellent terms with Mr. Azam Khan, principal secretary of Prime Minister. Chief Minister clearly told Journalists in meeting, led by Iftikhar Durrani, that he is as toothless as he cannot transfer Director General Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) before prior permission from center.

All the three groups, discussed above, have been visiting Bani Gala, Imran Khan’s residency frequently. Imran Khan clearly told the other two parties that until he is Prime Minister, his KP’s CM will be Mehmood Khan. Although, Mehmood Khan has a number of oppositions within the party even his own cabinet is making it difficult for him yet he is the best choice for Imran Khan for some reasons. Governor Shah Farman individually called on Imran Khan where he tried his best to convince him that he is the right man and rest of the groups are on fault. After couple of days, Prime Minister recalled Mr. Farman but till this writing, another meeting couldn’t take place. Similarly, the third group of two ministers met Imran Khan and informed him with their reservations. None of the parties won yet in convincing Mr. Khan however, a reshuffling in KP’s cabinet is expected anytime sooner. The replacement of CM Mehmood Khan is not an option for Mr. Khan at the moment because upcoming elections of merged districts are to be held. The results of elections will decide the destiny of CM Mehmood Khan.

The author maybe connected at farhanahmadsdq@hotmail.com