CHITRAL: Former provincial minister and senior PPP leader Saleem Khan has accused authorities of mismanaging trophy hunting funds in Lower Chitral.
He claimed that the authorities transferred Rs9.5 million to an inactive Village Conservation Committee (VCC).
In a statement shared with ChitralToday on Sunday, Khan alleged that the current MPA, Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir of the PTI, created a VCC named “Bhotuli Noghor,” which does not exist in reality.
The PPP leader claimed officials allocated funds to this fictitious committee at the expense of genuine and active ones.
Mr Khan emphasized that various VCCs across Chitral have actively contributed to wildlife conservation over the past several years, and diverting funds from them undermines their efforts.
He added that even members of the ruling PTI protested against this move during an official event, raising slogans against the MPA and other officials.
Saleem Khan called on the KP chief secretary and the Anti-Corruption Department to investigate the “Bhotuli Noghor” VCC transparently.
He also demanded they return the funds to the rightful committees if the allegations prove true.
He warned that if the authorities fail to take action, the affected communities may launch protests and pursue legal action.