In a significant move to curb corruption, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to form a new Anti-Corruption Force, with the head of the force reporting directly to the Chief Minister. The force will have the authority to investigate officers of Grade 17 and above.
According to official sources, the Anti-Corruption Force will be led by a Grade 20 officer, designated as the Director General. The force will also recruit technical experts to ensure thorough investigations. A three-member investigative team will conduct inquiries against officers of Grade 17 and higher. Before any arrest, the team will issue three notices and seek approval from the court.
The Good Governance Committee is already overseeing provincial government affairs and monitoring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members and local officials. Following the investigation of former provincial minister Shakeel Khan, files on several other provincial ministers, advisors, and special assistants have been opened. The committee is also keeping a close watch on the provincial bureaucracy.
A spokesperson for the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Anti-Corruption stated that the formation of the Anti-Corruption Force is currently in the pipeline, with legal drafting underway. Once the draft is finalized, it will be presented to the cabinet for approval. After cabinet approval, the matter will be introduced as a bill in the provincial assembly for final passage.
This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening governance and accountability in the province.
