MQM to have five ministries, two advisers

PPP, MQM an inch closer to announcing a formation of a coalition government.


Our Correspondent March 22, 2014
After the 18th Amendment, the Sindh cabinet can only have 15 ministers and five advisers on board. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI:


The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have inched closer to announcing a formation of a coalition government in Sindh as five ministries are likely to be handed over to the MQM, party sources said on Saturday.


The leaders of the two parties are also expected to meet at Governor House in a day or two, where the portfolios would be finalised. The names of the potential ministers have been sent to MQM chief Altaf Hussain for approval.

According to sources, the ministries of health, information technology, Auqaf, industries and commerce are likely to be offered to the MQM. All these departments were led by MQM ministers in the last coalition government.

Meanwhile, out of the important ministries — local bodies, finance, planning and development, and home department — one will be given to the MQM. If all goes well and the new coalition is formed in the province, two advisers will also be appointed from the MQM.

However, after the 18th Amendment, the Sindh cabinet can only have 15 ministers and five advisers on the board. Currently, there are 16 ministers and two advisers serving as part of the provincial government. In case a coalition government is formed and five ministries are awarded to the MQM, the PPP will have to remove six of its own ministers from their posts.

Parliamentary affairs minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro said the provincial cabinet strength stands at 11 per cent of total number of the provincial assembly members after the 18th Amendment. This means the government can only appoint 15 to 16 ministers and five advisers. When his attention was diverted towards 16 ministers working in Sindh and five other portfolios reportedly promised to the MQM, he said, “I have no idea whether or not the provincial government would take back a few ministries from its own members, but we are working to merge the departments so that the cabinet size is limited.”

In the last tenure, the MQM parted ways with the PPP-led government just days before the general elections of May 2013 and chose to act as an opposition party in the new term. MQM party leaders had admitted that they were unable to do any development because of their ‘limitations’.

Party workers were not in favour of the party joining the government. However, with the operation in Karachi and the situation in London becoming unpleasant, MQM is ready to strike a deal with the PPP. The relations between the two parties became cordial last week when their delegations met in Dubai, and the MQM had termed the talks positive. “Good news is expected in the coming days,” said one of the MQM leaders.

On Friday, PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, who is in Karachi, told his party leaders not to issue any statements against the MQM. Later, MQM chief Altaf Hussain also told his leaders to maintain the friendly atmosphere..

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2014.

COMMENTS (40)

Ebad | 10 years ago | Reply

Great! Now the feudal system is going to be buried forever by MQM! May ALLAH give some sense to our people.

Shahid | 10 years ago | Reply

@John: You don't even have the courage to put your real name down and if you are a christian then your opinion does not count in Pakistan any way. however I am glad to know you are a Punjabi.

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