PTI supporters are essentially politically immature adult workers, a vast number of whom lack a genuine understanding of politics. In other words, they are merely devotees and followers of Imran Khan. For them, every word uttered by their leader is final and absolute truth. Consequently, PTI exploited this weakness of its workers, building its politics on lies, fabricated narratives and hypothetical claims rather than performance. The party’s habit of accusatory politics, concealing facts and shifting the blame for its failures onto others is unparalleled in Pakistan’s political history.
Following the dismissal of the PTI provincial government in KPK on October 11 and the imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency measures, at a time when the province is gripped by worst-case terrorism—an organized campaign against the Pakistan Armed Forces is being conducted on social media. Through this heinous campaign, false allegations have been leveled against our brave and valiant Pakistan Army regarding the seizure of the province’s mineral resources. On the other hand, serious questions raised against the PTI provincial government remain unresolved.
This is not the first time provocations have been made against the Pakistan Army. Previously, the joint anti-state narrative of the banned terrorist organization TTP and PTI was that the Pakistan Army fought the war against terrorism only to obtain US dollars. In this way, a malicious attempt was made to undermine the great sacrifices of the Pakistan Defence Forces and the public in the war on terror. The facts are that the former PTI era penned a new chapter of corruption and links with the TTP and Tehrik-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA).
Sohail Afridi’s provincial government was dismissed for failing to provide the required cooperation to the federal government and the army in anti-terrorism operations. Maulana Fazlur Rehman also adopted a similar stance while criticizing the federal government and the army regarding the provincial situation. His conduct has given a new political dimension to the controversy surrounding Governor’s Rule, the ongoing war against terrorism and the allegations against the Pakistan Army. However, his own past contains several matters that warrant investigation.
The fundamental question is: when will political leaders rise above their political differences and prioritize the peace and stability of the province? The former PTI government faces serious questions regarding corruption, the management of the province’s mineral resources and the deteriorating law and order situation. The province’s mineral deposits belong to its people; their allotment and a full accounting of revenue must be presented to the public transparently. No political government can be allowed to escape its responsibility.
In reality, the core issue here is accountability, not propaganda. Solid evidence is required for allegations against the Pakistan Army. Thus, ending the propaganda campaign against national security and the Pakistan Defence Forces has become inevitable. It is also essential to review PTI’s past thirteen-year rule with the same rigor and impartiality. Political slogans and accusations cannot be a substitute for facts, transparency and responsibility. The precious mineral resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were distributed among PTI’s facilitators, patrons, close associates and relatives like spoils, as if they were their personal estate. The Pakistan Army is being scapegoated solely to cover up this corruption and these irregularities. This raises the question: if the distribution of mineral resources was transparent, why is PTI hesitant to bring the details to light? Is this not an attempt to deflect attention from the looting of the province’s precious mineral wealth?
However, statistics do not lie. In 2010, there were only 482 mineral licenses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Under the PTI government, this number surged to 4,917. Will it be explained why there was such an extraordinary increase in the number of licenses? And why were licenses issued to Aleema Khan’s sons? Furthermore, it must be explained how funds derived from the province’s resources allegedly ended up in the pockets of Imran Khan’s relatives and Murad Saeed, when this money should have been deposited into the provincial treasury. Therefore, the complete details of the financial transactions that took place during the Tehreek-e-Insaf era must be presented to the public. Even the courts have issued orders to make this information public, yet the so-called champions of transparency consistently refuse to release the relevant details. Whenever the military demands accountability, a new propaganda campaign of allegations is launched against it. It would not be misplaced to say that PTI aims to achieve a dual benefit by blaming the army: deflecting attention from its own corruption and creating obstacles in military operations against terrorism.
However, when the names of those benefiting from the contracts surface, questions regarding nepotism become inevitable. Aleema Khan and Murad Saeed stand accused of distributing over 300 licenses among their favorite individuals, close associates and patrons, with reports emerging of heavy commissions being received in return. Regarding the major contracts for Chitral Mines and Minerals, the names of Aleema Khan’s sons, Shahroz Khan and Sher Shah Khan, have come to the fore. Permits for these valuable mineral reserves were issued in the names of Shahroz Khan and his wife and a significant portion of this income was funnelled to Aleema Khan’s family. This matter is not limited merely to the allotment of contracts; the fundamental question is whether the distribution of public resources was conducted transparently. Furthermore, tales of corruption in the province’s health sector have also come to light. The most significant evidence of this is the appointment of Imran Khan’s US-based cousin, Dr. Nosherwan Burki, to high-ranking positions within the provincial health department. He served on policy-making bodies and acted as the Chairman of the Board of Governors at Lady Reading Hospital. Questions regarding his role in the Sehat Card program and other key policy decisions have become part of a broader conflict concerning government performance and corruption.
Regrettably, PTI follows a systematic plan to keep its workers occupied with slogans, street protests and social media battles, ensuring their attention remains diverted from corruption and the misuse of public resources. Meanwhile, Murad Saeed, who benefited immensely from the looting of public resources, is currently taking refuge with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group in Paktika. The political maneuvres of Tehreek-e-Insaf and the deteriorating situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are no longer hidden from anyone. If licenses and contracts were distributed transparently during the PTI era, why are the complete details not being brought before the public? If the allegations of awarding contracts to close relatives are false, why is a clear answer not being provided by presenting the relevant records?
The concerning aspect is whether the income derived from the province’s mineral reserves was actually deposited into the provincial treasury or diverted into private hands. The time has come for the public to look beyond social media propaganda and political slogans, examine the official records and demand to know who is truly responsible.
—The writer is Chairman, Tehrik Jawanan Pakistan.
