Latest news with #Jhagra
Express Tribune
04-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PTI seeks Imran's nod for Jhagra probe
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Internal Accountability Committee has decided to seek permission from the PTI founder Imran Khan to proceed with an inquiry against Taimur Saleem Jhagra, former finance and health minister. PTI sources told The Express Tribune that once approval is obtained from Imran Khan, investigations will be initiated into allegations of corruption and irregularities within the finance and health departments in the previous provincial government. Meanwhile, the committee has expressed serious concerns over Taimur Jhagra's sharing of confidential documents on social media. It will recommend disciplinary action against him to the PTI founder. Jhagra had previously expressed distrust in the committee in response to a questionnaire sent to him, following which the committee stopped investigations against him and decided to consult Imran Khan. It may be recalled that the committee has launched an investigation into the performance of the party's previous provincial government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In this regard, the accountability committee has sought answers from former provincial minister Jhagra regarding 13 charges against him, including allegations that the province defaulted multiple times during his tenure and that Rs36 billion was withdrawn from the pension and gratuity fund account without being returned. The former provincial minister has submitted a 35-page response to the accountability committee, saying that the committee's questionnaire is negative, politically motivated, and that he does not have confidence in the party's internal accountability panel. PTI sources told The Express Tribune that the committee formed by founding chairman Imran Khan for good governance in K-P has sent a two-page questionnaire to Jhagra, in which a response has been sought on 13 charges. Jhagra hit back by leveling allegations against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The questionnaire also raises concerns regarding alleged fraudulent loans issued by the Bank of Khyber and whether any action was taken, flaws in the Sehat Insaf Card program and the lack of efforts to rectify them, the failure to control the spread of polio with 20 cases reported in 2020 and 22 in 2022, and allegations of establishing regional health directorates to benefit a particular group of doctors, which were never properly activated. Sources confirmed that Jhagra responded in detail to every question posed by the committee. In his written reply, he stated that when rumors surfaced about Imran Khan's intention to include him in the K-P cabinet, he was immediately informed that he would be investigated for corruption. He further criticized the committee's approach, claiming that instead of recognizing his efforts in pension reforms, he was questioned about the use of funds for pension payments. He described the inquiry as an attempt to portray his efforts to mitigate the financial crisis as a crime. Jhagra also dismissed allegations related to the selection of hospitals for the health card, asserting that he had no role in the process. He revealed that when Imran Khan directed the Chief Minister to include him in the K-P cabinet, the Chief Minister suggested that he first clear the accountability committee's inquiry.
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
PTI probes ex-minister Taimur Jhagra
The Internal Accountability Committee (IAC) of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has launched an investigation into the performance of the party's previous provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). As part of the inquiry, the committee has sought answers from former provincial minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra regarding 13 charges against him. Among the allegations is that the province defaulted multiple times during his tenure and that Rs36 billion was withdrawn from the pension and gratuity fund account without being returned. The charge sheet further states that he also served as the health minister and that all summaries sent by the health department were allegedly approved without proper scrutiny because he simultaneously held the portfolio of finance minister, raising concerns about a conflict of interest. In response, Jhagra has submitted a 35-page reply to the accountability committee, rejecting the allegations and asserting that the inquiry is politically motivated. He stated that he does not trust the committee and considers the questionnaire biased. PTI sources told The Express Tribune that the committee, formed by founding chairman Imran Khan to ensure good governance in K-P, had sent a two-page questionnaire to Jhagra. The document questions why the province defaulted multiple times during his tenure, why Rs36 billion from the pension and gratuity fund was not returned, and what steps, if any, were taken to address the province's financial crisis. The questionnaire also raises concerns regarding alleged fraudulent loans issued by the Bank of Khyber and whether any action was taken, flaws in the Sehat Insaf Card program and the lack of efforts to rectify them, the failure to control the spread of polio with 20 cases reported in 2020 and 22 in 2022, and allegations of establishing regional health directorates to benefit a particular group of doctors, which were never properly activated. Sources confirmed that Jhagra responded in detail to every question posed by the committee. In his written reply, he stated that when rumors surfaced about Imran Khan's intention to include him in the K-P cabinet, he was immediately informed that he would be investigated for corruption. He further criticized the committee's approach, claiming that instead of recognizing his efforts in pension reforms, he was questioned about the use of funds for pension payments. He described the inquiry as an attempt to portray his efforts to mitigate the financial crisis as a crime. Jhagra also dismissed allegations related to the selection of hospitals for the health card, asserting that he had no role in the process. He revealed that when Imran Khan directed the Chief Minister to include him in the K-P cabinet, the Chief Minister suggested that he first clear the accountability committee's inquiry.
Express Tribune
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Taimur Jhagra takes legal action against Marwat for false allegations
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra has issued a defamation notice to former party member Sher Afzal Marwat, demanding Rs1bn in damages for alleged false accusations. The legal notice, delivered through Jhagra's representatives, comes after Marwat made allegations of financial misconduct during two televised talk shows on March 11, 2025. Marwat accused Jhagra of embezzling Rs36bn from the pension fund and purchasing properties in Hayatabad and Islamabad using illicit funds. Jhagra's legal counsel, Advocate Ali Gohar Durrani, strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as baseless, malicious, and defamatory. The notice further claimed that the accusations were made with the intent to damage Jhagra's social and professional reputation, stressing that the statements lacked any factual basis and violated Pakistan's Defamation Ordinance, 2002. The notice demands that Marwat cease and desist from further defamatory remarks, issue a public apology through TV channels and social media platforms, retract his statements, clarify the misinformation publicly, and pay Rs1 billion in compensation for the reputational and professional damages caused by his claims. Failure to comply with these demands within 14 days will result in civil and criminal proceedings, the notice warns. This legal action comes amid growing tensions within PTI. Last month, PTI founder Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, ordered Marwat's expulsion from the party for violating party discipline. This decision followed Marwat's controversial remarks at a rally in Swabi, where he criticised alleged election rigging and claimed that 'bad people' like him had been helpful during difficult times, while 'good people' had remained silent. Khan expressed his displeasure with Marwat's statements and directed party leadership to terminate his membership. Marwat, in turn, responded to his expulsion by asserting that his unwavering support for PTI during challenging times had been ignored and that his voice had not been heard before his removal.
