SWABI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has said that the process of accountability for eradication of corruption will continue without interference from any quarter.

Addressing a big public meeting near the under-construction tehsil building of Razaar here on Sunday, he said that the people involved in wrong doings would face accountability.

The PTI leaders and workers from different parts of the province attended the meeting, which was held in connection with merger of Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP) with PTI. The AJIP has an MNA and four MPAs in the provincial assembly. Liaquat Khan Tarakai, the father of Senior Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai, was elected senator in March this year on PTI ticket.

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar played vital role in merger of AJIP with PTI.

Imran Khan said that leaders of rival parties made hue and cry for protection of each other when the PTI government began accountability process in the province. The leaders, who looted the people’s fund, would face the law, he added.

Addresses public meeting in Swabi on merger of AJIP with PTI

“We have started Ehtesab (accountability) from our own leaders and those, who were involved in such acts, were shown the door. The same policy would continue unabated and without any discrimination,” said Mr Khan.

He said that no one was allowed to meddle in the affairs of Estesab Cell and it should work without any hesitation. “None of the thieves would be spared. All the corrupt elements would be arrested,” he added.

The PTI chief said that peaceful environment could encourage foreign investors to invest in the province for its economic stability. He said that education and health sectors were top priorities of the government. The government had planned to bring public sector hospitals at par with the private hospitals till the completion of its tenure.

Mr Khan said that Shaukat Khanum Caner Hospital in Peshawar would be an excellent health centre where cancer patients would be treated like that of Lahore hospital.

“The PTI-led government has ensured 100 per cent attendance of the academic staff in public sector educational institutions,” he said, adding that the performance of police was also improved.

Mr Khan said that PTI leaders would not need to run election campaign in the province after completion of their party government. The people would vote for the party on the basis of its performance, he added.

The PTI chief said that jobs were given to educated youth on merit as NTC conducted transparent tests for different posts in the province.  “I have neither meddled nor will interfere in any department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.

Chief Minister Khattak said that PTI formed government in the province to bring change in the system in a way that could be felt by the people. The reforms introduced by the government had been felt by the people and it was a continuous process, he added.

He also announced expansion of Swabi-Mardan and Swabi-Jehangira Road. Speaking on occasion, Shahram Khan Tarakai said that both AJIP and PTI had the same agenda. “All the political parties are on one side and PTI, which works for justice, is on the other side,” he added.

Similarly, PTI chief ran Shaukat Khanam Caner Hospital in Lahore and Tarakai House also carried out various activities for the welfare of the people, he said, adding that approach of the two parties on various issues was the same.

“These similarities forced us to merge AJIP into PTI and join the caravan of Imran Khan. We will always stand by Imran Khan,” said Mr Tarakai. 

Speaking on the occasion Asad Qaisar said that provincial government would never compromise on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project at any cost. He alleged that the PML-N government in centre ignored the right of Pakktuns by making unnecessarily changes in the original route. “We would continue our fight for the rights of province and its people,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2015