The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has launched an internal investigation into the performance of its former provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), with ex-finance minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra at the center of scrutiny. The party’s Internal Accountability Committee (IAC) has charged Jhagra with 13 allegations, including provincial defaults and irregular fund withdrawals.
Key Allegations Against Jhagra
The IAC has questioned Jhagra about:
- K-P’s alleged defaults during his tenure.
- The withdrawal of Rs36 billion from the pension and gratuity fund without repayment.
- Approving all health department summaries without scrutiny while holding dual portfolios (Finance & Health).
- Alleged fraudulent loans issued by the Bank of Khyber and lack of corrective action.
- Failures in the Sehat Insaf Card program.
- K-P’s inability to control polio outbreaks, with 20 cases in 2020 and 22 in 2022.
- Establishing regional health directorates that were allegedly meant to benefit a particular group but remained inactive.
Jhagra has submitted a 35-page response, categorically rejecting the accusations and terming the inquiry “politically motivated.” He expressed distrust in the committee, calling the questionnaire biased.
