NWFP CM and governor clash

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: The power struggle between the Deobandi and Barelvi sects has added a new twist to the Eid announcements, said statements from Frontier House and Governor’s House.

Sources said the Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani and the Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussein Shah did not exchange Eid greetings, but instead received people at their residences. Mr Shah went to his hometown in Kohat to celebrate Eid while Mr Durrani went to Bannu. Both of them returned to the provincial capital on Thursday.

Mr Durrani received party workers, supporters and government officials who wished him a happy Eid, while Mr Shah received the Peshawar’s Corps Commander Lt Gen Ali Muhammad Orakzai and tribal leaders. In a rare press interview, Mr Durrani charged Mr Shah with ‘conspiring’ against his government. His remarks triggered an outburst from Mr Shah about non-completion of various development projects in Peshawar.

However, some sources say that it may be the beginning of the end for one or other of the two gentlemen. Highly informed sources said that most people disagree and just say all the governor is doing is trying to keep the chief minister under his thumb. Meanwhile the war of words continues with different stories going round the political arena. Some say Mr Durrani misused his office when he flew his sick son to Islamabad in the official plane. Mr Durrani acknowledged that he did do so adding, “I am ready to pay for this from my own pocket.” He also reasoned that he did it ‘to save a life’.

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