Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into alleged rigging in the recent NA-18 Haripur by-election, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan announced.Speaking to the media, Shafi Jan said the inquiry will cover all officials from Class-IV employees up to the Deputy Commissioner level who were on duty during the by-election.

“Strict disciplinary action will be taken against any official or officer found involved,” he stated, adding that the Chief Minister has fully authorized the party to proceed.The Special Assistant emphasized that the provincial government is confident its employees and officers played no role in any rigging, but the inquiry is being conducted purely for the sake of transparency.

A formal reference is also being sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan, and statements and affidavits of presiding officers are being recorded.On the continuing restrictions on meetings with PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, Shafi Jan said no family member has been allowed to meet him since November 4, raising serious health concerns.

He announced that on Tuesday, all PTI members of the National and Provincial Assemblies will first appear at the High Court and then proceed to Adiala Jail along with Imran Khan’s family. “If the sisters of the founding chairman are not allowed to meet him, a sit-in and protest will be staged,” he warned.Taking a dig at the PML-N, Shafi Jan said the ruling party “forgets its own past” when its leaders used to hold cabinet meetings in London with Nawaz Sharif and consult him on state matters.

“Today they fear Imran Khan’s statements and his image. Imran Khan remains the most popular political leader in the country, and every effort is being made to silence him,” he added.Highlighting the priorities of the young Chief Minister, Shafi Jan said good governance is at the top of the agenda. Emergency has been declared in the education and health sectors, and the provincial cabinet will now meet every Friday.He reminded that PTI’s elected representatives won their seats solely on the promise of Imran Khan’s release, and the public’s only question remains.

“When will Imran Khan be released?”On the financial front, the Special Assistant accused the federal government of withholding the province’s rightful dues. “The centre owes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs 3,000 billion under NFC awards, Net Hydel Profit, oil and gas royalties, and other heads, besides denying funds to enhance police capacity and clear arrears of the merged districts,” he said. The provincial government, he added, will vigorously pursue its case at the NFC meeting scheduled for December 4.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)