Serious allegations have emerged over the allocation of government land at tourist destinations across Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the unfair distribution of departmental development funds during the tenure of former federal tourism minister Maulana Atta ur Rehman.
Opposition circles and political critics have intensified their claims that the controversial decisions taken by the ministry were backed politically by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, reflecting a policy of political expediency.
According to sources, during Atta ur Rehman’s tenure, government land and rest houses in key tourist zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Galiyat and other popular destinations, were leased or allotted at throwaway prices to favoured commercial groups and close political allies.
Political opponents maintain that these decisions were not aimed at developing the tourism sector but were intended to provide financial benefits to specific groups affiliated with the party. Critics allege that the ministry faced pressure from the highest levels of political leadership to approve these allocations.
The report further claims that a significant portion of the billions of rupees available with the Tourism Ministry for development projects was diverted towards selected areas and constituencies where JUI-F enjoyed considerable political influence, while other deserving tourist destinations were completely overlooked.
According to critics, the unequal distribution of funds was intended to strengthen Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s political network through public resources.
Political observers and investigative circles have also questioned whether Atta ur Rehman was merely occupying the ministerial position while Maulana Fazlur Rehman exercised behind-the-scenes oversight of strategic decisions, development fund approvals and land allocation matters.
The opposition alleges that the JUI-F chief used his brother’s ministry as an instrument for political bargaining and patronage, resulting in substantial financial losses to the department.
Meanwhile, JUI-F representatives and Maulana Atta ur Rehman have strongly rejected these allegations in the past, describing them as politically motivated attempts at character assassination.
However, critics insist that Public Accounts Committee proceedings and audit records point to irregularities and argue that the party’s central leadership should also be held accountable for the alleged misuse of public resources.
