PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Qaumi Watan Party, which remained coalition partners in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for a brief period, confronted each other in the provincial assembly for the first time after parting ways as the latter joined the opposition benches on Monday.
QWP parliamentary leader Sikandar Hayat Sherpao told the house that PTI had deviated from its original agenda, forcing his party to say goodbye to the coalition government.
“The ministerial portfolios are ordinary things and the national interest is more important for us,” he said, while assailing policies of the provincial government.
Opposition members thumped desks when QWP lawmakers sat on the opposition benches.
The opposition’s strength reached 54 in the 124-member House.
QWP parted way with PTI in November 2013.
Mr Sikandar said QWP became coalition partner of PTI on the basis of 13 points agenda, which included restoration of peace in the province, friendly relations with the federal government and creation of employment opportunities.
He said instead of following the original agenda, PTI levelled baseless corruption charges against two provincial ministers belonging to his party.
“QWP felt that PTI was not sincere in resolving core issues of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It would have been better for PTI to consult coalition partner had they taken action on corruption allegations,” he said.
The QWP leader said it was unfortunate that PTI had adopted inappropriate way to expel ministers from the cabinet.
He said the provincial government had failed to address core issues and that it had yet to begin work on the schemes included in the annual development programme.
Mr Sikandar said the provincial government was on the path of confrontation with the centre by blocking Nato supplies unconstitutionally.
“We had opposed blockade of Nato supplies but PTI did not pay heed to our reservations,” he said.
The QWP leader said targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom and extortion had become order of the day in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Later, Information Minister Shah Farman said two QWP ministers were expelled from the cabinet over corruption.
“My sympathies are still with QWP and I still think that they better had not left the ruling coalition. But at the same time, I want to make it clear that the government has zero tolerance for corruption in the province,” he said amid outcry by former minister Bakht Baidar Khan, who was sacked for corruption.
Bakht Baidar challenged the minister to produce evidence of his corruption.
The information minister said there was no concept of friendly opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and everyone, including ministers, would be held accountable for actions.
He said the law and order situation in the province was delicate but his government was not to blame for it.
Shah Farman said former president Pervez Musharraf and the then interior minister were responsible for the current poor security situation.
About construction of Kalabagh Dam, the minister said it was a dead issue and PTI, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter would never support it.
Earlier, the assembly admitted an adjournment motion about a detailed discussion on the US drone strike in Thall and kidnapping for ransom.
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl member Mufti Said Janan tabled the motion, saying the US drones flied over Hangu district daily.
Earlier, Speaker Asad Qaisar administered the oath to Sardar Ikramullah Khan Gandapur, who was elected MPA from PK-67 during the by-elections.
He is the elder brother of former law minister Sardar Israrullah Khan Gandapur, who was killed in suicide attack at his residence.
The session was later adjourned until 3pm today (Tuesday).