PTI Internal Rift Deepens as Ex-Minister Faces Corruption Probe
PESHAWAR:Â Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Internal Accountability Committee (IAC) has launched a high-profile investigation into former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finance and health minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra, exposing deepening fractures within the party.
Key Allegations
- Financial Mismanagement
- The IAC report alleges Rs36 billion was irregularly withdrawn from the Pension and Gratuity Account without recovery.
- KP reportedly defaulted on financial obligations multiple times during Jhagra’s tenure as finance minister.
- Questionable Appointments
- Accused of nepotistic hiring, including appointing a financial institution’s MD in violation of rules (now under Anti-Corruption probe).
- Claims that recruits secured benefits before resigning, suggesting policy manipulation.
- Health Sector Irregularities
- Sehat Card Program: Rs3.2 billion spent despite reduced operational costs (Rs2.25 billion); hospitals delisted without corrective measures.
- COVID-19 Relief: UN-donated contraceptives expired unused; scanners bought at inflated prices but never operationalized.
Jhagra’s Defense
- Denies all charges as “politically motivated,” citing cabinet-level approval for financial decisions.
- Blames KP’s fiscal crisis on federal funding delays, not provincial governance.
- Attributes procurement price hikes to pandemic-era market volatility.
The probe underscores PTI’s internal turmoil amid broader accountability challenges. While the IAC paints a picture of systemic mismanagement, Jhagra’s rebuttal frames it as a targeted witch-hunt. With NAB and Anti-Corruption now involved, the case risks further eroding PTI’s cohesion ahead of elections.
