Irregularities have been reported in the distribution of sewing machines worth Rs30 million among poor and deserving people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s PK-58 Mardan constituency during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, prompting an official inquiry into the matter.
The Mardan divisional commissioner has appointed the additional deputy commissioner general as the inquiry officer to investigate the irregularities and examine the distribution process.
The inquiry will determine how the sewing machines were distributed, whether they reached the intended beneficiaries and whether any rules or procedures were violated during the process.
The case has raised questions about the use of public funds and resources allocated for the welfare of underprivileged communities during the PTI government’s tenure in the province.
The investigation is aimed at establishing the facts surrounding the distribution of sewing machines worth Rs30 million and identifying any irregularities in the implementation of the welfare initiative.
The appointment of an inquiry officer marks a step towards examining the use of public resources under the new provincial administration. If wrongdoing is established, the findings could help determine responsibility and pave the way for action against those found involved.
In a separate development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Department imposed an immediate ban on all types of recruitment in designated districts as the province’s new administration reviews administrative affairs and focuses on improving public services.
According to a notification issued by the Directorate of Health Services, Designated Districts, on October 22, 2026, district health officers and medical superintendents of district headquarters (DHQ) and tehsil headquarters (THQ) hospitals have been directed to immediately halt all recruitment activities.
Under the directive, no new recruitment may be initiated, continued or completed at health department offices and medical facilities in the designated districts until further orders. All ongoing recruitment processes have also been suspended with immediate effect.
The notification specifically directs officials to stop every stage of hiring, including job advertisements, interviews, tests and the preparation of merit lists.
No appointment letters may be issued, and candidates cannot be appointed or allowed to join their posts until further instructions are issued.
The department has instructed all relevant officials to ensure immediate compliance with the orders. Any violation may result in responsibility being fixed on the concerned officer or staff member, who could face disciplinary action.
The directive has been circulated to all district health officers and medical superintendents of DHQ and THQ hospitals in the designated districts. Copies have also been sent to the secretary concerned with education and the social sector, the Area Development Secretariat and the director general of Health Services KP.
