KP govt fires Information Adviser Ajmal Wazir on ‘corruption charges’

Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information and provincial government spokesman Ajmal Wazir has been removed from his post on Saturday apparently on corruption charges, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Ajmal Wazir was removed from his post, a notification from the provincial government confirmed. The action was taken under Section 3 of KP Advisers and Special Assistants to the Chief Minister (Appointment) Act, 1989.

The development came as an audio recording of a conversation between Ajmal Wazir and owner of an advertising agency surfaced in which the two were discussing commission for an ad deal. According to TV channels, the audio recording was then taken to Prime Minister Imran Khan after which Ajmal Wazir was removed from his post.

KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has asked the chief secretary to constitute an inquiry committee to analyse the audio recording. The committee will also prepare a forensic report of the audiotape.

However, Ajmal Wazir claimed that he has resigned from his post for personal reasons and has sent his resignation to Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.

Another notification said Ajmal Wazir was removed from his post over allegations of accepting commission in a leaked audio recording. An inquiry into the leaked audiotape has been ordered by the KP chief minister.

“Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has desired to process a case for a fact-finding inquiry into the recently surfaced audiotape of Ajmal Khan Wazir, former adviser to the chief minister for information and public relations,” the notification read, quoting a letter the CM wrote to the chief secretary.

"The matter may be treated as most important and urgent," the letter, dated July 11, said.

Special Assistant to CM on Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Kamran Bangash has been given the additional portfolio of information and public relations after Ajmal Wazir’s departure.

Talking to a TV channel, Bangash said “Evidence of corruption was found against Wazir. Following this, Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered a high-level inquiry against him. The chief minister has written a letter to the chief secretary for the inquiry and until then Wazir has been removed from the post,” he said.

Ajmal Wazir was appointed as the adviser to the chief minister for information earlier this year. Wazir, who belongs to Shakai Valley in South Waziristan, had joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf just before the July 2018 general elections. He was earlier a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and had remained its central vice-president.