PESHAWAR: The arrest of high-ranking officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province by the anti-corruption and accountability organisations has frightened the bureaucracy and its members have become inactive in initiating development and other projects in the province.
Three anti-corruption and accountability bureaus in recent weeks arrested 19 persons.
They include a serving secretary, additional secretary, director Local Government and another officer of the same department who also happens to be the father of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of Provincial Assembly Gul Sahib Khan.
A Provincial Management Service (PMS) officer, termed the current spree of arrests a hurdle to the execution of the public affairs projects.
He said that all the officers found guilty of procedural lapses were proceeded against under the E and D Rules that are made as per the Civil Servants Act 1973.
“This has led to harassment of the officers. National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Ehtesab Commission and the Anti-Corruption Establishment are in competition to enhance their public image and gain popularity,” he maintained.
He said that the anti-corruption and accountability institutions have instead embarked upon criminal proceedings like arrests and humiliations on flimsy grounds without any cogent evidence.
“The officers are reluctant to proceed in all financial matters and many have kept pending the procurement and recruitment process of the current as well as the Annual Development Programme. Internews
