PESHAWAR: Former Finance Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Taimur Saleem Jhagra has said that the KP debt stood at Rs 550 billion, not Rs 1000 billion as Chief Minister Ali Gandapur had misled in the figure.
He stated that the allegations and questions against him were not prepared by the Provincial Accountability Committee, but rather by an outside party.
Speaking on the Pakhtun Digital Podcast, Taimur Saleem Jhagra responded to the allegations, asserting that the Provincial Accountability Committee accused him of misusing his powers by holding the portfolios of two departments. However, he clarified that the minister does not have the authority to send files—this authority lies with the Secretary, as outlined in the Rules of Business. He questioned whether those making the allegations were familiar with the Rules of Business.
He addressed a second allegation regarding the increase in polio cases in 2020 and 2022, pointing out that 2021 marked a year in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s history when not a single case was reported, even though Taimur Jhagra served as Health Minister during that time. He emphasised that he had no role in the appointments made within the Health Department.
Jhagra expressed his willingness to undergo any investigation if there were questions regarding his assets, noting that when he entered politics, his salary was $50,000.
While discussing the accountability process initiated by the Provincial Accountability Committee, he suggested that there must be some investigation agency behind the allegations—whether it be NAB, Anti-Corruption, FIA, or other institutions—and he is prepared to respond to them.
He rejected Sher Afzal Marwat’s claim that Taimur Saleem Jhagra purchased a bungalow in Hayatabad from PP leader Khawaja Hoti, asking someone to present evidence of the bungalow or the deed.
Regarding his position in the provincial cabinet, Taimur Saleem Jhagra stated that Imran Khan remembering him was significant, but internal differences must be resolved for the party to succeed. He added that Ali Amin Gandapur has full authority to choose cabinet members.
On the subject of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s debt, the former Finance Minister dismissed the rumour of a 1,000 billion loan as baseless. He clarified that the loan for BRT was taken during Pervez Khattak’s tenure, and that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s budget remains lower than those of Punjab and Sindh. He mentioned that under PTI’s rule, the province’s total debt was Rs 365 billion. Any subsequent increase in debt was due to a decline in the rupee’s value, a situation he attributed to the PDM government.
Jhagra revealed that Ali Amin Gandapur had been misinformed when he claimed that the province’s total debt was Rs 1,000 billion; the actual amount at that time was around Rs 550 billion.
Discussing the Mines and Minerals Act, he criticised the federal government’s attempts to impose its will, stating that such actions could not be accepted following the 18th Constitutional Amendment. He noted that a minor issue was turned into a controversy regarding the Kalabagh Dam, and asserted that no party would support this bill.
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