Row over audio leak ends after MPA apologizes to DC

CHITRAL: The row between MPA Molana Hidayatur Rehman and Lower Chitral Deputy Commissioner Naveed Ahmed ended on Sunday after the former apologized for using foul language against the latter during a telephonic conversation last month.

The resolution of the issue was announced at a press conference held by Commissioner Malakand Division Riaz Mehsud, CD Ahmed along with MPA Rehman and local JUI leaders.

The MPA belonging to the JUI-F, said he had withdrawn the words he had used against the DC and also apologized to him.

The DC said he respected the elected representatives and regretted if he had offended the MPA.

The commissioner said the row between the MPA and the Dc was a result of misunderstanding. He expressed the hope that from now onward the two would be working jointly to resolve issues of Chitral, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

He also said it was a good news that two main roads of Chitral have been federalized and work on these projects would be started soon.

Row over audio clip

The audio of the conversation between the two went viral on social media but it is not known who had leaked it.

In the leaked audio, the MPA berates the DC for arranging a public gathering for former cricketing star Shahid Afridi in Chitral town on April 9 to distribute rations among 500 families even though there was a lockdown and Section 144 had been imposed to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.

ChitralToday had learnt through its sources that higher authorities had taken strong notice of the language used by the MPA and how the conversation was recorded and leaked to the social media.

Even the commissioner who was also in Chitral during the public gathering for Afridi had warned that FIA would be approached to probe the matter.

The DC a few days ago withdrew official security and a vehicle given to the MPA.

Some local leaders of the JUI in a press conference on May 13 called upon the party leadership and the district administration to resolve the matter for the interest of the people of Chitral.