Landikotal April 17: The removal of the top bureaucracy in FATA is a challenge for the election commission. For holding free, fair and transparent elections in tribal regions, it is obligatory and imperative for the election commission of Pakistan to take notice as to why so far the top bureaucracy in FATA as well as in the tribal agencies working since long has not been removed as it has been done almost everywhere in the country to ensure free and fair election.
This is an undeniable fact that almost all the top level political agent in FATA particularly in Khyber has stuck to their profitable posts since long with the support of the former governments’ ministers and others. So in this backdrop it is crystal clear that in the presence of the long serving political agents, it is hard to ensure to hold free and fair elections in all over the FATA particularly in Khyber Agency.
Some former tribal parliamentarians, who have good relations with the incumbent governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shaukat Ullah Khan, have been still reportedly using their influence for keeping intact some bureaucrats in Khyber Agency from Tehsildar Torkham level to the top political agent for their vested interests.
That is why the first arrow was fired by JUI-F leader Qari Jehad Shah who demanded of the election commission of Pakistan and the interim government to replace the administrative officers with the new ones so that their plots for rigging the upcoming elections and supporting some of their favourite candidates could be foiled, but that strong voice fell on deaf ears.
The second strike has been done by another religious group JI’s leaders including its central leader Siraj Ul Haq in this regard who asked the election commission to take notice of some bureaucrats in Khyber Agency who are reportedly involved in pre-poll rigging. JI FATA spokesman Shah Jehan Khan Afridi has also alleged PA Khyber Motahir Zib for arranging gatherings for former MNA Hameed Ullah jan Afridi in Khyber House, warning the election commission and the interim provincial government to take notice of the corruption and misuse of powers by PA Khyber Motahir Zin who is involved in pre-poll rigging, otherwise JI would file a writ petition in the higher judiciary to remove PA Khyber who is influencing the upcoming elections in NA 45 and NA 46.
The common tribal people are also in a fix as to why the establishment is not willing to transfer the present Political Agent and APA Jamrud who are no more enjoying good reputations in the public. They also recalled that PA Khyber has completely failed to maintain law and order situation in Khyber because in his presence Khyber House had come under attack but so far its final report could not be made public. The common tribesmen and followers of some of the candidates doubted PA Khyber role as controversial and partial which can influence the upcoming elections.
The author is renowned journalist and FRC reporter for Khyber Agency
Disclaimer: Opinions / views expressed in commentaries / articles published on FRC website are those of contributors and should not be attributed to FRC in any way.
Traces of Pre-Poll Rigging in Khyber?
Landikotal April 17: The removal of the top bureaucracy in FATA is a challenge for the election commission. For holding free, fair and transparent elections in tribal regions, it is obligatory and imperative for the election commission of Pakistan to take notice as to why so far the top bureaucracy in FATA as well as in the tribal agencies working since long has not been removed as it has been done almost everywhere in the country to ensure free and fair election.
This is an undeniable fact that almost all the top level political agent in FATA particularly in Khyber has stuck to their profitable posts since long with the support of the former governments’ ministers and others. So in this backdrop it is crystal clear that in the presence of the long serving political agents, it is hard to ensure to hold free and fair elections in all over the FATA particularly in Khyber Agency.
Some former tribal parliamentarians, who have good relations with the incumbent governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shaukat Ullah Khan, have been still reportedly using their influence for keeping intact some bureaucrats in Khyber Agency from Tehsildar Torkham level to the top political agent for their vested interests.
That is why the first arrow was fired by JUI-F leader Qari Jehad Shah who demanded of the election commission of Pakistan and the interim government to replace the administrative officers with the new ones so that their plots for rigging the upcoming elections and supporting some of their favourite candidates could be foiled, but that strong voice fell on deaf ears.
The second strike has been done by another religious group JI’s leaders including its central leader Siraj Ul Haq in this regard who asked the election commission to take notice of some bureaucrats in Khyber Agency who are reportedly involved in pre-poll rigging. JI FATA spokesman Shah Jehan Khan Afridi has also alleged PA Khyber Motahir Zib for arranging gatherings for former MNA Hameed Ullah jan Afridi in Khyber House, warning the election commission and the interim provincial government to take notice of the corruption and misuse of powers by PA Khyber Motahir Zin who is involved in pre-poll rigging, otherwise JI would file a writ petition in the higher judiciary to remove PA Khyber who is influencing the upcoming elections in NA 45 and NA 46.
The common tribal people are also in a fix as to why the establishment is not willing to transfer the present Political Agent and APA Jamrud who are no more enjoying good reputations in the public. They also recalled that PA Khyber has completely failed to maintain law and order situation in Khyber because in his presence Khyber House had come under attack but so far its final report could not be made public. The common tribesmen and followers of some of the candidates doubted PA Khyber role as controversial and partial which can influence the upcoming elections.
The author is renowned journalist and FRC reporter for Khyber Agency
Disclaimer: Opinions / views expressed in commentaries / articles published on FRC website are those of contributors and should not be attributed to FRC in any way.