Dera Ismail Khan police ambushed as PTI funding dispute imperils district development
A terrorist ambush on police vehicles in Dera Ismail Khan left six officers injured, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a Station House Officer, while the city’s development funding became the centre of a bitter intra-party dispute within PTI. The twin crises underscored the compounding security and governance challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s southern hub.
🗳️ PTI rift deepens over withheld DI Khan development funds
Internal differences within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have intensified over allegations that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government withheld development funds earmarked for Dera Ismail Khan, the home district of former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Member of the National Assembly Faisal Amin Gandapur told The News that in the KP government’s latest development disbursement, which totalled Rs43 billion across the province, only Rs80 million was directed to Dera Ismail Khan. The MNA alleged this disparity was a deliberate act of sidelining the district, describing the allocation as grossly inadequate given DIK’s population and infrastructure needs. The accusation has placed additional strain on an already tense relationship within the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter, with Faisal Amin Gandapur positioning himself as an advocate for the district against what he characterised as the provincial administration’s deliberate neglect. The dispute points to broader fault lines in PTI’s KP governance, where competition between political factions is increasingly being expressed through the allocation—or denial—of public development budgets. Observers noted that Dera Ismail Khan, despite being home to the party’s most prominent provincial figure, appeared to receive a disproportionately small share of the province’s development resources in this particular funding cycle, giving rise to accusations of political motivated decision-making at the provincial level. [1]
Six officers hurt in terrorist ambush near Hathala police station
Six police personnel, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Kalaachi and the Station House Officer of Hathala, were injured on 29 August when terrorists opened fire on vehicles carrying the two officers in Dera Ismail Khan. Regional Police Officer Ghulam Mubashir Makin confirmed that the attack took place near Al-Amin Farmhouse, within the jurisdiction of Hathala police station. The sudden burst of gunfire caused the DSP’s vehicle to lose control, veer off the road and overturn. In addition to the DSP, those injured included ASI Nauman Khan, Constable Qasim, gunman Ghulam Saeed, Constable Hashim and Lady Constable Amber Altash. All six were transferred to the District Headquarters Hospital in Dera Ismail Khan for treatment. A heavy police contingent was dispatched to the site following the incident, and additional personnel arrived from Ejaz Shaheed Police Lines. The area was cordoned off and a counter-terrorism operation was launched against the attackers. RPO Makin and District Police Officer Ziauddin Ahmed visited the DHQ hospital in person to check on the injured officers, commending their courage and providing financial assistance to each of the affected personnel. Makin also directed the hospital administration to ensure the best possible medical care for those injured in the line of duty. [4]
Sources: [1] thenews.pk · [4] The Express Tribune