A storm is brewing within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), as a series of shocking allegations against the current Director General have rocked the department. The situation escalated after the Secretary of the Department submitted a detailed note to the Chief Secretary, highlighting these serious concerns and urging immediate action. The revelations point not only to administrative overreach but also to potential legal violations, drawing attention from across the province and the bureaucratic circles of the region.
Among the most serious allegations is the appointment of a favored officer, currently serving as Director (Admin and Finance), as the Commandant of the Tourism Police. This move blatantly disregards the 2020 Regulation, under which such appointments must adhere to defined criteria and qualifications. Furthermore, despite the critical nature of this wing, essential positions, including that of Deputy Director Tourism Police, remain unfilled. The same officer has also been handed charge of the Tourist Services Wing, a move that violates Section 7(1) of the Tourism Rules, 2021, which outlines the separation of responsibilities to ensure transparency and efficiency in service delivery.
Another concerning issue is the failure to establish the Advisory Committee, a key body necessary for regulatory oversight, despite repeated instructions from the Chief Minister’s Advisor. This failure has disrupted the legal framework of the department and resulted in the issuance of tourism licenses through irregular and potentially unlawful processes. Instead of filling the 21 vacant posts through standard recruitment procedures, the Director General has been assigning multiple additional charges to existing staff, severely affecting departmental performance and burdening the current workforce.
Moreover, irregularities in the recruitment framework have been exposed. The submitted service regulations make no mention of eligibility criteria for BPS-18 and BPS-19 appointments, raising fears of merit violations and non-transparent hiring. These gaps in policy pave the way for favoritism and could weaken the credibility of the department’s recruitment process.
In a direct violation of the government’s austerity policy for the fiscal year 2024-25, two officers were sent to attend the New York Adventure and Travel Show, despite cabinet approval being granted only for the Advisor and the Director General. This misuse of funds and deviation from approved travel delegations adds another layer of concern regarding financial management within the department.
Another startling revelation is the handling of the Swat Serena property lease. The Director General reportedly received the lease amount personally without any formal procedural approval, even though the case is currently under judicial review. This not only raises legal red flags but also brings into question the financial accountability of the department’s leadership.
These revelations have created unrest within KPCTA and sent shockwaves across other government departments. The alleged misuse of authority, procedural violations, and disregard for legal mandates suggest a deep-rooted problem in the administration of the province’s tourism sector. With mounting pressure and growing scrutiny, all eyes are now on the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The decisions taken in the coming days will not only determine the future of the department’s leadership but also signal whether accountability will prevail in the face of institutional misconduct.
