A purported audio recording attributed to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar has triggered a fresh political controversy after serious allegations were made against former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and PTI leader Shah Farman.
In the alleged recording, Junaid Akbar is heard discussing development funding and claiming that Malakand received the lowest share of funds. He also reportedly says that he had never sought personal favours, transfers or postings for himself or his relatives.
The recording contains more serious allegations against Shah Farman. Junaid Akbar allegedly claims that Farman secured a party ticket for his brother and had his expenses covered through a contractor.
The most significant allegation concerns an alleged financial arrangement involving former provincial minister Shakil Khan. According to the purported conversation, Junaid Akbar claims that Shah Farman had discussed obtaining Rs1 billion from an unidentified individual, with Rs500 million allegedly intended for Shakil Khan and Rs500 million for himself.
Junaid Akbar is also heard criticising such alleged practices, saying that asking others for money or personal favours was not his way of working.
Shah Farman has strongly rejected the allegations, questioning their credibility and saying Junaid Akbar should focus on the responsibilities assigned to him by the party. Farman also warned that allegations of corruption should not be made without considering the facts.
Defending his record, Shah Farman said PTI founder Imran Khan had expressed confidence in him by appointing him to the party’s accountability committee. He further claimed that, during his tenure as governor, he deposited millions of rupees into the public exchequer.
The authenticity of the purported audio has not been independently verified. The allegations contained in the recording therefore remain unproven and should be treated as claims unless independently substantiated.