• PTI camp torched after KP police break up opposition rally
• PPP demands accountability, slams ‘massive corruption’ in provincial govt

PESHAWAR: Police resorted to tear gas shelling and baton charge to disperse PPP workers staging a protest outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly building against what they said massive corruption on Monday.

The demonstration, part of the PPP’s “Save the Province” campaign, was organised to condemn alleged massive corruption and administrative failures under the PTI-led provincial government. The protesters sought accountability from all those involved in illegal practices.

In retaliation for the police action, enraged PPP workers set on fire a PTI protest camp located near the Peshawar High Court. The camp was unoccupied at the time.

PPP activists from across the province arrived at the protest site in large processions, waving banners and chanting slogans against the provincial government. According to police, protesters attempted to march towards the Chief Minister’s House in the red zone, prompting the crackdown.

The rally included a group of women workers led by Senator Rubina Khalid, president of the party’s provincial women’s wing.

Senior leaders present included PPP’s Central Secretary General Muhammad Humayun Khan, Provincial President Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, Najamuddin Khan, Kiramatullah Khan Chagharmatti, Syed Ayub Shah, Ahmad Karim Kundi, Haider Ali Khan and Riaz Ahmad Khan.

According to PPP provincial spokesperson Gohar Ali Inqilabi, the rally was planned to highlight corruption in public sector departments and rising incidents of terrorism in KP.

Addressing the rally, Humayun Khan highlighted the alleged corruption and mismanagement by the PTI government in KP, claiming that the administration had set a record for corruption, with trillions of rupees being embezzled in various projects, including in the uplift schemes in the Kohistan district.

He criticised the government’s failure to address unemployment, law and order and terrorism, stating that the province was on the brink of collapse. He also demanded that the corrupt elements be held accountable and that high-level investigations be conducted into the alleged corruption scandals.

As for alleged corruption in the Kohistan district, Humayun Khan said Rs40 billion was embezzled, stressing that this was not just an allegation but a fact admitted by the KP Assembly speaker.

He estimated total corruption in the province to be between Rs400-500bn, citing irregularities in wheat procurement, solar energy schemes and educational institutions in Mardan district.

He stressed that the current situation should be treated as a national crisis and that the Pakistan Peoples Party would raise its voice against this “exploitative system” on every forum.

“This is our land and we will not let it be plundered,” Humayun Khan declared, insisting that PPP would not remain silent and continue to inform the public about the “facts”.

Later, talking to the media, he strongly condemned the use of tear gas and batons on “peaceful protesters”, including women and children, stressing that the PTI government was using state force and unconstitutional measures to suppress the people’s voice. He emphasised that peaceful protest was a fundamental right of citizens, and the government should respect and protect this right.

Humayun Khan demanded action against those responsible for what he called police brutality and urged the government to respect democratic rights.

The PPP leader reaffirmed the party’s solidarity with the protesters and vowed to stand firm despite the government’s attempts to suppress their voices.

Humayun Khan announced that the party would continue its protest campaign until the PTI government was held accountable and democratic rights were respected. He also criticised the PTI government for its alleged double standards, where it frequently held demonstrations but didn’t tolerate protests by others.

PPP leaders Ali Shah Bacha and MPA Ahmad Karim Kundi also spoke on the occasion, accusing the PTI government of failing to meet public expectations and declaring that it no longer had the moral authority to remain in office.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2025