Corruption charges: Federal government says will take action against KP food minister

The federal government on Monday announced to take action against KP Minister for Food Qalandar Khan Lodhi as a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Aurangzeb Khan, in his testimony before a Senate committee alleged that rampant corruption in different departments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is at its peak.

This clear message was conveyed by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Senator Azam Swati at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Rules & Procedure, and Privileges. The senator lodged his complaint against misbehaviour of Mian Abdul Qadir, Director Food, Government of KP, in the presence of Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Senator Azam Khan Swati and Leader of the House in Senate Senator Syed Shibli Faraz.

The committee headed by Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq unanimously rejected the statement of the director food KP as well as inquiry conducted by secretary administration KP, terming it biased and one-sided.

As the Senate Committee on Rules & Procedure and Privileges commenced its proceedings, the chairperson asked the complainant to record his statement on the incident, which is already in the knowledge of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Senate.

Senator Aurangzeb explained the incident to the committee in a very emotional way as all his colleagues in Senate came to support him morally. The chairperson stated that the committee has nothing to do with the wheat quota which actually became the reason of brawl between the senator of treasury benches and the director food KP.

"We are not here to decide to whom wheat quota should be given and to whom it shouldn't, as it is not the jurisdiction of this committee," she said. Senator Aurangzeb while narrating his story stated that he was misbehaved and locked in an office room at the behest of the director Food KP who, according to him, threatened to shoot him as he is from Batkhela.

He also accused the inquiry officer of taking side of the director. He was of the view that the inquiry officer was also member of 'director food group' which is involved in corruption.

"In my view our provincial government is involved in it. Corruption is at its peak in KP and all are ganged up. They are sucking flood of tribal people," said Senator Aurangzeb Khan who also hails from Orakzai. Both Senator Swati and Senator Faraz remained mum on the accusations of corruption hurled by the PTI senator.

The minister for parliamentary affairs assured the committee that the government will not let the culprit go unpunished. He said the KP's Food Department is the most corrupt department and no body is ready to become its minister.

However, he asked Qalandar Khan Lodhi who won the election as independent candidate and joined PTI, to accept this department. "He accepted my proposal and made best efforts to perform his duty. However, an officer like Mian Abdul Qadir, Director Food, is unacceptable." He said whatever committee would recommend, the government would implement it in letter and spirit.

He was of the view that the concerned officer should be given the right of due process in accordance with the law despite the fact he does not deserve any leniency. The committee member appreciated the minister for parliamentary affairs' viewpoint.

The entire committee condemned the concerned officer for his behaviour with the senator, saying if such treatment is given to a parliamentarian, what behavior the general public is being faced.

Senator Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah explained how the committee can act on this complaint as per the rules and procedures and send a reference to the House. One of the members of National Assembly, Fazal Khan, who was also present in the committee, too raised questions over the concerned officer.

Senator Manzoor Ahmed Khan Kakar was also seen furious on the incident. He said the bureaucracy, which is already unbridled, will now become more disobedient after the promulgation of recent NAB Ordinance.

The committee members also raised questions on the performance of Secretary Food KP Nisar Ahmed and secretary administration with special reference to the incident. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati said that the government does not accept the inquiry conducted by the secretary administration.

"I have instructions from the Prime Minister that we will make him example. Let me talk to chief minister KP and ask him which officer he will appoint on his own for this inquiry," he said, adding if the committee recommends, inquiry officer will be taken from outside the Food Department for transparent inquiry.

The chairperson standing committee said the chief secretary KP should also have been in the meeting. "It is a stigma on the PTI's government and we will not let it go," he continued.

On the complaint of MNA Azam Khan, the chairperson standing committee said that the appointing authority of this officer should also be taken to task. Azam Swati directed Secretary Food Nisar Ahmed to convey his disappointment to the Minister for Food Qalandar Khan Lodhi.

"I cannot explain how much disappointed I am. It is a disgrace for our government and the minister will also be taken to task. I will ask the chief minister if a bandit is working under the minister," he maintained.

Besides others, the meeting was attended by Senator Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Senator Dr Asif Kirmani, Senator Dilawar Khan, Senator Dr Sikandar Mandhro and Senator Nighat Mirza. Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi also attended the meeting for showing solidarity with Senator Aurangzeb Khan.