PESHAWAR: Succumbing to the pressure of joint opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, the government finally agreed to conduct a departmental inquiry to delve into the charges pertaining to financial anomalies and immoral practices in elementary and secondary education (E&SE) department.

Adviser to Chief Minister on E&SE Ziaullah Bangash was earlier hesitant to accept the opposition’s demand to order inquiry into the charges. He was of the opinion that the department had introduced E-transfer system to ensure transparency in posting and transfer of teachers “which is why there is no need to hold any inquiry into the charges.”

Opposition lawmakers, nevertheless, took firm stand on the issue and stood up from their chairs to register their protest against the advisor’s reply, which they described as a “rude behaviour.”

“I have evidence of financial and moral corruption and can expose wrongdoings being carried out in E&SE department,” said Opposition Leader Akram Khan Durrani, warning that he did not want to disclose dirty things at floor of the House. He asked Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani to set up committee to thrash out the charges.

Leader of opposition in PA says he has evidence of financial and moral corruption in E&SE; house passes resolution to condemn Indian atrocities in Kashmir

He said that opposition would continue its protest against the “stubbornness” of the adviser. He asked the speaker to give ruling on the issue. He added that treasury benches had no regard for opposition.

Taking floor during question hour, Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal legislator Inayatullah Khan demanded inquiry into irregularities in posting and transfer of teachers and seizure of trucks loaded with textbooks in Upper Dir district.

He said that the trucks were illegally shifting textbooks from Upper Dir, meant to be distributed among the students of public sector schools in the district. “The issue was brushed under the carpet, despite the assurance of adviser on education during the last session of the assembly,” he added.

PPP lawmaker Nighat Yasmin Orakzai came down hard on the treasury benches, terming all cabinet members inefficient. She complained that performance of the standing committees was zero and she would not submit question about the education department.

MPA Sardar Hussain Babak also reprimanded the adviser over his remarks.

Speaker Mushtaq Ghani put his weight behind the opposition and directed the adviser to hold inquiry into the allegations. He asked the opposition members to provide all details with proofs to the adviser.

“I know the education department is performing very well, but presence of black sheep cannot be ruled out,” remarked the chair, adding that treasury and opposition benches had to accommodate each other.

The house referred to the standing committee concerned two more questions of ANP MPA Bahadur Khan regarding closure of Bacha Khan Higher Secondary School in Lower Dir and vacant posts in three colleges.

Earlier, ANP lawmaker Shagufta Malik withdrew her question regarding appointment and payment of wages to employees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil and Gas Company (KPOGCL) in a bid to mark her protest against “incomplete reply” to her question by the government.

Speaking on a point of order, Sardar Hussain Babak expressed concerns over the re-grouping of militant outfits and their activities in Buner and other districts of Malakand division. He said that he personally took up the issue with the provincial police chief.

“Militants have started collecting extortion money from the local residents,” he said, urging the government to show political will by taking concrete steps to establish its writ in the area.

The assembly also passed a unanimous resolution condemning Indian atrocities against innocent civilians in occupied Kashmir. The resolution said that Kashmir was a disputed territory and revoking of Articles 370 and Article 35-A of the Constitution by India was in contravention to the charter of the United Nations.

The resolution demanded of the government to raise voice against Indian aggression and barbarism at all forums including Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and UN.

The resolution stated that violation of Line of Control by India had put a serious threat to the lives of the people living in proximity of the area. It said that human rights violation in India-held Kashmir was also an issue, which put the population under duress and distress.

Minister for Information Shaukat Ali Yousafzai moved the resolution. Opposition Leader Akram Khan Durrani said that opposition and treasury benches were on the same page and condemned Indian aggression in the occupied valley.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2019 were presented in the assembly. The session was adjourned till 10.30am Friday (today).

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2019