Politics

‘Misuse of state helicopters’: NAB says unofficial fliers cost KP govt Rs90m

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

NAB writes to KP government to recover money.
Since 2008, as many as 2,000 people used KP chopper.
KP govt legislating to legalise private use of helicopters.

PESHAWAR: Having completed its probe into the illegal use of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s helicopters, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has revealed that those, who engaged the chopper for private use, owe Rs90 million to the provincial administration, sources said on Monday.

They added NAB had also written to the KP government to recover the cost of all the illegal helicopter trips taken by “influential politicians, public officeholders” and others.

At least 2,000 people had travelled in state helicopters since 2008.

The helicopters were used by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, former and current provincial/federal ministers including others.

Former and incumbent members of provincial and national assemblies and officials of political parties also travelled in helicopters, the sources said, adding that chief secretaries, secretaries and other government employees were also among the flyers.

Last month, the KP government announced it had prepared a draft to amend laws regarding the use of its helicopters and other matters in the province.

Following the amendment, no one will be able to question the chopper’s use including who uses it and why is it being used.

According to the amendment draft, the use of the government’s helicopter from November 2008 till date will be considered legal and valid. No question could be raised regarding the use of the chopper, which would be allowed to be rented out. However, permission for personal use would have to be sought from the province’s chief minister.

The draft states that the government’s helicopter, apart from its use by the chief minister, can also be used by ministers, advisers, special assistants or government officials.

Approval of the amendment bill has been included in the agenda of the provincial assembly’s next meeting, according to the sources.

Talking to Geo News, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Labour Minister Shaukat Yousafzai denied that the helicopters were ever used for private purposes.

“Choppers were used for only government work. No minister or officer in the past or now has used them for personal work,” Yousafzai said, adding, “In this case, NAB is hounding KP government for no reason”.

The KP minister questioned why was NAB not doing anything against the corruption of the Sharif and Zardari families.

“Amendments in the law related to helicopters are being made for the betterment of the people,” Yousafzai added.

Latest News

MQM-P seeks the chairmanship of standing committees

Published

5 hours ago

Farwa

According to people familiar with the case, a MQM-P team met with Sindh Assembly Speaker Qadir Shah and Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar.

During the meeting, the provincial assembly’s standing committees were discussed, and MQM-P demanded that 14 standing committees be chaired by them.

The gathering focussed on discussions about the formation of standing committees within the provincial assembly. It was revealed that MQM-P advocated for the appointment of chairmanships to 14 standing committees.

The MQM-P has prioritized the Standing Committees on Interior, Education, Health, Finance, Industries, and KMC, submitting a list to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership.

According to sources, the PPP has sought time to reflect on the situation and respond after conferring with senior leadership.

Meanwhile, the MQM claimed that as the second-largest party in the House, they should be given chairmanship of the 14 standing committees.

Latest News

Fazlur Rehman supports the consensus between JUI-F and PTI.

Published

6 hours ago

Farwa

In an interview with a private news channel, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the two parties’ divisions were’mountain-sized’. “The PTI delegation has arrived, and we have welcomed them in accordance with our traditions,” Maulana Fazalur Rehman said.

The JUI-F president stated that resolving their disputes with the PTI would be beneficial. “If not, every political party has its stance and opinion,” he added.

Maulana Fazalur Rehman stated that the PTI team suggested settling various concerns, to which both parties agreed.

He stated that one or two PTI members make ‘inappropriate’ statements against the JUI-F, and that those words are not taken seriously.

“We consider solely the delegation liable because they stated that they were dispatched by the PTI founder. We shall keep to our stand as long as they do not violate it.” Maulana Fazalur Rehman

He claimed that the JUI-F has never offended anyone and will not do so in the future. The JUI-F president stated unequivocally that their million-man march on May 9 had nothing to do with the tragedy.

Earlier on May 2, Maulana Fazlur Rehman disputed the results of the general elections and sought new ones, citing ‘widespread rigging and anomalies’.

Speaking to a crowd in Karachi, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that assemblies had been’sold’. “Sindh Assembly and President House were also sold,” said the official.

The JUI-F chief requested quick re-elections to ensure the democratic process’s integrity.

“The recent elections were fake, and its results are unacceptable,” he continued. The JUI leader called new elections to ensure that the people’s voices are heard and their mandates are respected.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticized the federal government’s foreign policy, particularly its position against Israel and Palestine. “We are being punished for supporting Palestine and opposing Israel,” he declared.

Latest News

Salim Haider’s inauguration as Punjab governor will be attended by Bilawal.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Punjab governor Sardar Salim Haider Khan, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), will take the oath of office today (Tuesday).

The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Governor’s House, according to sources. Chief Justice Sardar Salim Haider of the Lahore High Court (LHC) will administer the oath.

The leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Punjab cabinet members, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and PPP leaders will be present at the oath-taking event.

The ceremony to take the oath of office was originally slated for Sunday, May 5, but it was postponed for two days due to the absence of the current governor, Balighur Rehman. The PPP leaders had been asked by the PML-N to reschedule the event by two days.