DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pakistan Peoples Party provincial president Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government of widespread corruption and administrative collapse in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He was addressing a gathering of PPP office-bearers and workers here at the residence the party’s divisional president Sardar Qaizar Khan Miankhel on Sunday.

Bacha claimed that the PPP remained a true people’s friendly party, while PTI pushed provincial institutions to the brink of collapse through ‘mismanagement and corruption’.

He was of the view that the law and order situation in the province had deteriorated, and the people were now ready to reject PTI’s policies.

Ali Bacha insists people ready to reject PTI’s policies

He announced that a grand rally under the banner of ‘save the province movement’ would be held in Peshawar on May 26, with thousands of party workers expected to participate from across the province, including Dera Ismail Khan.

Highlighting PPP’s political strength in the region, Bacha said the party won two provincial assembly seats, one national assembly seat, and three tehsil chairmen positions in Dera.

He attributed the success to the ‘public-oriented’ politics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, MPA Ahmad Karim Kundi, and the Miankhel family.

He also congratulated Sardar Qaizar Khan Miankhel for being elected as president of the district bar association from the chief minister’s constituency, despite pressure and financial incentives offered by opponents.

Mr Bacha emphasised that India’s cowardly attack on Pakistan was met with a strong, daylight response from the Pakistan’s armed forces, winning the hearts of the nation.

Former MPA Nawabzada Mazhar Jameel Alizai and numerous party loyalists were also present on this occasion.

MPA Ahmad Karim listened patiently to workers’ suggestions aimed at strengthening the party.

GANG BUSTED: In a major crackdown on criminal activity, the Dera police dismantled a gang involved in multiple theft cases, recovering stolen goods along with Rs200,000 in cash.

The successful operation was conducted under the supervision of district police officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada as part of the district-wide campaign against crime, said a police spokesman on Sunday.

He said a team of Paroa police station arrested three suspects, including Ijaz, Mohammad Nadeem, both residents of Faisalabad; and Aftab, a resident of Toba Tek Singh.

The police seized a loader rickshaw used in the crimes, wire cutters, and approximately 100 yards of electric wiring.

In a separate operation, the police arrested three more suspects, including Mohammad Razaq, Mohammad Arsalan, and Hassan Muawiya.

The police also recovered stolen items and Rs200,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from the sale of stolen goods.

Meanwhile, the Dera police thwarted an attempt to smuggle drugs and arrested four suspects, including three women, recovering over 12 kilogrammes of drugs from them on Sunday.

A police spokesman said a team of Mughalkot police station arrested the smugglers and recovered two kilogrammes of ice drug and 10kg of hashish.

The primary suspect, Ghulam Dastgir, a resident of Paharpur, was found in possession of two kg of ice drug worth millions in the local market.

Additionally, three women Balqees Bibi, Nayab Bibi, and Hanifa Bibi, residents of Tank, were apprehended with over 10kg of hashish.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2025