SWABI: Treasury and opposition members exchanged barbs over controversial appointments to Gajju Khan Medical College Swabi during the second day of the district council’s maiden session here on Tuesday.

The hullabaloo was seen in the house after treasury member Dr Abid accused the PTI-led provincial government of making illegal appointments to the GKMC.

Other treasury members supporter their colleague to the anger of the opposition members, who insisted the issue was unjustly raised to defame the provincial government and therefore, they would oppose it with full vigour.

PTI members Saleem Khan and Shafqat Rani said appointments to the college were made six months ago, much before the district government was formed.

They asked how the district government could probe appointments, which were the privilege of the provincial government.

The remarks caused uproar in the house with treasury and opposition criticising each other on the matter.

District nazim Ameer Rehman, who was also in attendance, acted as a silent spectator. Later, the opposition members led by their leader Azizullah Khan staged a walkout against the treasury’s ‘discriminatory attitude’ towards them and said they won’t return to the house.

The nazim asked some treasury members to convince opposition members to return to the house.

Opposition leader Azizullah said the opposition would never stand allegations against PTI parliamentarians and that if the district nazim wanted smooth running of the government, he should keep the treasury in check.

He said the district government should limit itself to the roles defined in the law.

Opposition members later held talks with treasury members at the nazim’s office. They returned to the house after being assured that the GKMC appointments like issues won’t be raised in the council.

The district nazim urged councillors to adopt reconciliatory approach and give the due respect to each other.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2015

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