PTI’s Gulzafar arrested on corruption charges

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader and former Member National Assembly (MNA) Gulzafar Khan has been arrested from his Bajaur residence on corruption charges on Saturday evening. The politician rose to fame after he embraced his “chaiwala” status on national television shortly after making it to the parliament in 2013.

According to sources, the former MNA was arrested in a joint raid by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Anti-Corruption Establishment and KP police at his house in Kharki area of Mamund Tehsil in District Bajaur after he failed to appear at their office following multiple notices to appear at their Timergara office.

Police have raided his house multiple times in the past but could not apprehend him. Sources say the KP Anti-Corruption Establishment has made the arrest based on charges alleging irregularities in recruitment in various government departments during the PTI government, as well as misappropriation of constituency funds.

His political opponents had been pointing out his sudden change in living standards for years, alleging him of corrupt practices. Recently, KP’s former Chief Minister Mehmood Khan also pointed out corrupt practices and told a gathering, “I know who brought billions of rupees and used them through PAK-PWD to siphon them into their pockets.”

The Anti-corruption establishment’s notice is also addressed to former provincial minister Anwarzeb, who is alleged to be involved in the same corrupt practices. Zeb was facing a case in the sessions court after his video went viral on social media, showing him armed with an AK-47 and threatening then Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. His son’s video from outside the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi during the May 9 riots, was also circulating at the time.

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