PTI's KP govt faces turmoil as Minister Shakeel Khan resigns over bad governance of Gandapur

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Minister for Communication and Works (C&W) Shakeel Khan has tendered his resignation from the provincial cabinet, citing poor governance and widespread corruption. 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Shakeel Khan sent his resignation to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur via WhatsApp on Friday, August 16, stating that he should be considered resigned from his ministerial position.

In his five-point resignation message, Shakeel Khan expressed deep disappointment, claiming that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had deviated from the purpose for which the people had voted for them. 

Shakeel Khan highlighted that, at every level, poor governance and rampant corruption damage the public's perception of PTI. 

The provincial minister reiterated his commitment to raising his voice against such issues in line with PTI's manifesto.

Shakeel Khan also stated that he is willing to be held accountable for his ministry in all forums and plans to elaborate on the reasons for his resignation in detail in the assembly.

Minister Shakeel Khan accused Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of interference in his department, which he claims hindered his work.

Sources revealed that Shakeel Khan had also lodged complaints regarding corruption within the cabinet, leading to the formation of a committee to investigate these allegations.

CM Gandapur's response

In response to Shakeel Khan's resignation, CM Gandapur stated that a committee established by PTI's founder Imran Khan had already recommended Shakil Khan's removal.

CM Gandapur mentioned that he had signed the summary for Shakeel Khan's de-notification and sent it to the governor prior to receiving Shakeel Khan's resignation.

The Chief Minister noted that he has yet to receive a formal written resignation from his cabinet member Shakeel Khan.

Profile of PTI Minister Shakeel Khan

Shakeel Ahmad son of Rafiq Ahmed, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader is elected in General Election 2024. He represented PK-23 Malakand in the sitting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from February 28, 2024.

Earlier, he represented PK-99 Malakand Protected Area-II in the KP Assembly from 2013 to 2018 after winning his seat in 2013 general election. During his tenure, he served as Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Population Welfare.

In the 2018 general election, he was re-elected from PK-18 Malakand Protected Area-I and inducted into the provincial cabinet as Minister for Revenue. Later, in May 2021, he was assigned the portfolio of Minister for Public Health Engineering.

Reporter: Amir Shahzad