PESHAWAR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Farah Khan on Saturday accused the last Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of corruption, poor governance and failure to adequately support the police in their fight against terrorism.
Addressing a presser at the Peshawar Press Club along with other PML-N leaders, the lawmaker alleged that billions of rupees provided by the federal government for counterterrorism in the province had been misappropriated.
She claimed that Rs800 billion was provided for the police engaged in counterterrorism operations but there was no proper record of how the money was spent by the PTI government.
Ms Khan said the police and security forces had been left vulnerable to terrorist threats.
Insists police, security forces left vulnerable to terrorist threats
She said the PTI’s 13-year rule in the province had been marred by corruption scandals in the health and education sectors and poor governance.
She alleged that the PTI government had repeatedly neglected its responsibilities towards the federation while staging political protests in Islamabad to advance its own agenda.
The PML-N lawmaker also criticised PTI leaders for “failing to attend the funerals of security personnel and civilians killed in terrorist attacks”, saying their absence reflected a lack of regard for the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism.
She accused PTI founder Imran Khan of facilitating the return of militants to Pakistan during his government and announcing plans to establish offices for them.
Referring to the PTI’s slogan of establishing a state inspired by Madina, she alleged that corruption scandals had become commonplace in the province under its rule.
Ms Khan criticised the PTI leadership for seeking negotiations with militants and pursuing talks with Afghanistan while sidelining the federal government. She said such an approach risked creating a state within the state.
The lawmaker claimed that meetings of the provincial apex committee had been convened only with difficulty during the PTI’s 13-year rule, whereas two meetings had been held within 10 days under the governor’s rule.
She also alleged that mining licences were issued by the PTI government to favoured individuals.
Ms Khan said the PTI had failed to protect the mandate of around 45 million people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing the party of using its provincial mandate to pursue confrontational politics against the federal government.
She claimed that when the PTI government was removed and the chief minister’s powers were transferred to the governor, the party did not launch the protests it had threatened. Instead, she said, some people celebrated the development by distributing sweets and dancing to drumbeats.
The lawmaker also referred to Pakistan’s engagement with Turkiye and European countries, saying international agreements were being pursued while the PTI remained focused on political confrontation.
The PML-N lawmaker advised Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman against making statements that could aggravate the political situation at a sensitive time.
Describing Mr Fazl’s recent remarks as regrettable, she urged him to exercise caution and use his political stature to help ease tensions.
Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026
