- Speaker Babar Swati found uninvolved in Rs30m renovation case.
- PTI internal inquiry dismisses illegal appointment allegations.
- Babar’s Australia trip deemed justified under role as speaker.
PESHAWAR: The speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, has been cleared of all corruption and abuse of power allegations in an internal party inquiry, according to a report obtained by Geo News.
The investigation report by Qazi Anwar, a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Internal Accountability Committee, found no evidence to support the accusations levied against the speaker.
The seven-page report, now submitted to PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, states that the allegations made by PTI leader Azam Swati, ranging from financial irregularities to illegal appointments, could not be substantiated.
The inquiry found that Speaker Swati had no involvement in the Rs30 million payment for the renovation of the Speaker’s House. His participation in a conference held in Australia was deemed necessary and in line with his official responsibilities.
While Class IV staff were recruited without advertisements, the appointments were made in accordance with the rules and on the recommendation of the Employment Exchange Office.
All appointments and promotions, including that of the Special Secretary, were found to be lawful and based on the recommendations of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). The report also noted that, as speaker, Babar is answerable to the assembly, not to the internal accountability committee.
The report further mentions that Babar himself had written to the PTI’s party committee, requesting an inquiry to clear his name after allegations surfaced publicly.
The committee had asked Azam to submit evidence, and the report now reveals that no verifiable proof was provided to support the claims.
Anwar revealed that there were differences of opinion within the accountability body. While one member of the committee had fully dismissed the allegations as false, another believes that some of Azam Swati’s claims hold merit.
As a result, the case had been forwarded to a third member of the committee.
“Whatever decision the third member makes will be acceptable,” said Anwar, adding that the final report would be presented to the PTI founder, Imran Khan.
The controversy comes amid reports earlier this month of a potential no-confidence motion against Babar. Sources indicated that the party had considered removing him if he were found guilty of corruption.
Azam had also cited instructions from Imran, conveyed during a meeting at Adiala jail, that the speaker should resign if found culpable.
