DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has been exonerated of all corruption allegations following a comprehensive inquiry conducted by the provincial Accountability Committee.
The committee, established to combat corruption within the province, concluded that there was no evidence of misconduct or wrongdoing by the Speaker. The inquiry was launched after PTI leader Azam Swati, following his release from jail, publicly accused Babar Swati of corruption during a speech in Mansehra.
Speaking to journalists at the Assembly Secretariat on Monday, Speaker Swati disclosed that he himself had called for an official probe. “After Azam Swati made these claims, I wrote to the PTI Chairman and the Chief Minister requesting an inquiry,” he stated.
Azam Swati later filed a formal complaint with the Accountability Committee, broadening the allegations to include misuse of authority, illegal appointments, and irregular promotions within the Assembly Secretariat. However, the committee found that all procedures had been followed in accordance with legal and regulatory frameworks. With no evidence of corruption found, the inquiry has officially been closed.
Highlighting achievements during his tenure, Speaker Swati pointed to the swift passage of the new Assembly Act. “What could not be done in fifty years, we achieved in just six months,” he said, crediting assembly members, administrative departments, and the National Assembly Secretariat for their cooperation.
He also addressed the circumstances of his appointment, saying, “I became Speaker without lobbying. I was asleep when Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur called to inform me of the decision.” Upon taking office, Swati found the Assembly Secretariat in disarray and prioritized reforms, including a new merit-based system for appointments. “Now, grade-17 and above positions are filled through promotions rather than direct appointments by the Speaker,” he explained.
Regarding Azam Swati’s allegations, Speaker Swati questioned the motives behind them. “Azam Swati is known for not compromising, which raises questions about who might be influencing him,” he remarked.
On the broader anti-corruption front, Speaker Swati referenced the Kohistan corruption case, noting that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered Rs 26 billion so far. The case involves three government departments and the National Bank. “Our role is oversight, not investigation,” he said, adding that a forensic audit of the past ten years—ordered by the Public Accounts Committee—will reveal further details.
Reaffirming his loyalty to his party, Swati declared: “I am a party man. If the party chairman or provincial president sends me a message, my resignation will be on the table within five minutes.”
