PESHAWAR: Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has strongly criticised his own government’s policies during a parliamentary group meeting, expressing anger over legislation increasing the salaries and privileges of ministers and provincial assembly members.
According to the provided news copy, Gandapur said he had already warned against increasing the salaries of ministers and lawmakers because such a move would attract strong public criticism.
He said the government was repeatedly taking steps that were putting it under pressure and exposing it to criticism.
Gandapur also raised concerns over alleged poor-quality development work in different constituencies. He said even government ministers and lawmakers were complaining about substandard projects, while assembly members were stopping work in some areas due to concerns over quality.
He further claimed that objections related to recruitments and transfers were also being raised with supporting evidence, while criticism over poor governance was ultimately falling on the government.
The former chief minister said payments were not being made where they were genuinely required, while advance payments were allegedly being issued in places where work had not been completed.
He questioned who was issuing such orders within the government and whose wishes were behind the passage of certain laws.
Gandapur said he learned during the budget session that the salaries of ministers and assembly members had been increased. He maintained that he had earlier advised against such a decision because it would lead to public criticism.
He acknowledged that salaries were low but said the party’s founding chairman had opposed salary increases. Therefore, he said he would not become part of the decision.
Gandapur added that the government should avoid such measures at a time when people were facing poverty and unemployment. He said that anyone pushing for salary increases should be publicly identified.
He also stated that he could not compromise on the vision of his party leader.
Speaking about the security situation, the former chief minister said operations were taking place in the province and more could follow. He said such operations were being funded by the provincial government, while the public expected the government to protect their lives, property and dignity.