The "Change" That Failed: KP Sports Directorate Bogged Down by Nepotism Under PTI's Own Act

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Musarrat Ullah Jan – Kikxnow Digital Creator

When the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) swept into power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in 2013, their mantra was "corruption-free governance" and a "merit-based system." True to their word, in 2016, the provincial assembly, after modifying the Ehtesab Commission Act, enacted a milestone piece of legislation: The Conflict of Interest and Nepotism Prevention Act 2016.

This legislation was revolutionary. It clearly banned government office-holders and state officials from recruiting their close family members in departments where they exercised influence or dominance. It further required that such appointments be reported to an independent commission or ombudsman, and that violating such a requirement would attract penalties ranging from departmental action and employment dismissal to prosecution in a court of law. This was legislation PTI had campaigned on itself, aimed at defending the very ideals they espoused.

However, a harsh contradiction was witnessed during PTI's own terms (2013–2018 and 2018–2023). The inquiries pointed out many incidents when the Sports Directorate Peshawar was turned into a den of nepotism. The officials, seemingly with impunity, employed their family members. Some were given permanent jobs, while others were hired on a daily wage, project basis, or through departmental quotas. Alarmingly, in all of these instances, the Conflict of Interest law was not followed, nor were any such reports submitted to an accountability mechanism. These dubious appointments took place between 2016 and 2022, all under the watch of the PTI government.

The legislation existed, but the mechanism for its implementation was dormant. The Ehtesab Commission, meant to be a shield against such acts, was made ineffective in 2019, basically killing the anti-nepotism campaign. Political interference, nepotism in toto, and departmental complicity basically made a mockery of the law's intent.

Top journalists and good governance experts are now accusing this hypocrisy. "The PTI failure to enact a law they themselves drafted is the best example of hypocrisy," one expert said. "If laws are repeatedly flouted in this fashion, no merit-based system can ever stand on its feet." Demands are being made for a forensic audit of every hiring in the Sports Directorate and other departments, stringent action under service rules where nepotism is established, and suo motu notices by the Anti-Corruption Establishment or the Ombudsman KP.

 

#PTI_KP_LawsIgnored  #ConflictOfInterestLaw2016  #PTIGovernanceVsReality  #EhtesabCommissionGoneSilent  #KPKNepotismUncovered  #SportsDeptScandal #kikxnow #digitalcreator #musarratullahjan

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