Web Desk: Allegations of corruption and manipulation in KP government contract awards have surfaced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) publicly criticising their own party leadership over the issue.
Local PTI leaders along with Asim Khattak in Karak district accused top officials in the Communication and Works (C&W) Department of favoring contractors who submitted higher bids while sidelining those offering lower rates.
According to the allegations, contractors who quoted prices 10% to 20% below the estimated project cost were either ignored or disqualified during the bidding process. In contrast, contractors who submitted bids nearly 10% above the official rates were reportedly declared qualified.
The accusations have intensified concerns over transparency in the province’s public procurement process, particularly in development projects funded through taxpayer money.
Asim Khattak, president of PTI Tehsil Karak, openly criticized his own party’s leadership, accusing authorities of allowing irregularities in contract distribution.
Speaking at a local gathering, Khattak alleged that merit was being undermined and that genuine contractors were being deprived of opportunities despite offering financially competitive bids.
He further claimed that the process had raised serious questions about governance and accountability within provincial institutions.
The allegations come at a time when the provincial government has repeatedly pledged to improve transparency and accountability in public sector projects.
Awarding contracts to higher bidders could potentially increase project costs and place additional financial pressure on the public exchequer.
However, officials from the C&W Department have not yet issued a formal response to the accusations.
Meanwhile,t public criticism from PTI’s own ranks reflects growing internal dissatisfaction over administrative affairs in the province.
No official investigation into the allegations has been announced so far.
