- Web Desk
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KP Assembly paves way for Gandapur’s brother, PTI MNAs to head advisory panels
- Faqeer Hussain Web Desk
- Oct 29, 2024
PESHAWAR: In a pivotal legislative change, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial assembly has amended regulations to permit three PTI National Assembly members, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s brother and MNA Faisal Amin Gandapur to chair District Development Advisory Committees (DDACs).
Provincial Minister for Local Government Arshad Ayub Khan introduced the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa DDAC Amendment Bill 2024 during Tuesday’s session, sparking immediate objections.
Pakistan People’s Party’s lawmaker Ahmed Khan Kundi accused the government of altering the law to bypass the four elected provincial representatives from Dera Ismail Khan, preferring a National Assembly member for leadership roles in DDACs.
“It is inappropriate to appoint an MNA as the head of a district committee when elected MPs are already serving the area,” Kundi argued, suggesting the opposition will challenge the amendment in court.
Minister Ayub defended the amendment as a party policy, arguing that MNAs also carry a public mandate and noting that similar appointments have been instituted in Chitral and Kurram, with discussions under way to possibly include tehsil mayors.
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KP Law Minister Aftab Alam said that such procedural adjustments fall within the legislative remit, asserting that the courts cannot interfere with assembly decisions.
With the bill’s passage, National Assembly members are now permitted to chair DDACs. The provincial assembly also approved the Government Rest Houses and Property Amendment Bill 2024.
During the session, opposition members demanded an investigation into a recent fire at Hayatabad Industrial Estate, calling for an assembly report on the matter.
Citing potential delays due to the use of Rescue 1122 vehicles for political events, they proposed a dedicated committee to examine the fire incident, stressing the need to separate politics from governance.
Special assistant for industries informed members that an inquiry had been ordered by the chief minister and assured that swift response measures had been taken.
Amid rising security concerns, opposition leaders also urged the provincial government to convene an all-parties conference to discuss the worsening law-and-order situation in the region.