Who's next? Race is on for slot of opposition leader

Only 25 members remain on opposition benches.


Our Correspondent April 23, 2014
"Article 130 of the Constitution bars the provincial government from exceeding 18 members in the cabinet," Barrister Zameer Ghumro. PHOTO: ONLINE

KARACHI:


With the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) hopping over to the treasury benches in the Sindh Assembly, the race is now on for the slot of the opposition leader.


The position was previously occupied by MQM's Faisal Subzwari as their party formed the majority in the opposition. The Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are now eyeing the post.

There are a total of 168 seats in the provincial assembly. After the MQM joined the government on Tuesday evening, the number of members on the treasury benches has reached 142, while there are only 25 opposition members. These include 11 PML-F members, 10 PML-N members and four members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). One seat is lying vacant after the death of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Haji Altaf Unar.



According to officials privy to the development, the PML-N is considering the names of Irfanullah Marwat and Arbab Ghulam Rahim for the coveted post. The PML-F has, however, yet to decide if it wants to appoint a man or a woman for the post. "The opposition leader should be appointed on merit and we, the opposition parties, should resolve this issue with consultation at the provincial level," said Marwat, who leads his party in the provincial assembly.

"Those who have personal interests and are running after the government ministers to gain something for themselves do not deserve the opposition leader slot," he said, indirectly hinting at a few members of the PML-F. He refused to comment on Rahim's chances. "Dr sahib does not come to attend the session and I think the position should be given to a punctual member," he did not hesitate to add.

Meanwhile, PML-F's parliamentary leader Nand Kumar said their party's senior leadership has started consultations. "We are coalition partners with the PML-N in the federal government and the leadership of both the parties will make this decision," he said.

Given that PML-F is only one member ahead of PML-N, the competition will be tough and a decisive role will be played by the four members of the PTI. Khurrum Sher Zaman of PTI confirmed that his party will support those who give them the position of 'deputy opposition leader'.

"We also want to play the role of a strong opposition and highlight the issues faced by the people living in the province," he said, adding that the coalition between the PPP and the MQM will lead to further deterioration in the province.

Exceeding quotas

The Sindh government has apparently violated the rules by inducting around 26 members in the provincial cabinet and allotting several portfolios to advisers, special assistants and coordinators. After the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, the provincial government can appoint only 11 per cent of the total members of the Sindh Assembly as cabinet members, which means the government can only appoint 18 ministers along with five advisers.

After the addition of two MQM members - Rauf Siddiqui and Dr Sagheer Ahmed - the number of ministers will stand at 18, along with four advisers. Apart from the advisers, the government has also given away the portfolio of special assistants and coordinators to several MPAs who enjoy the status of ministers. Out of the 12 special assistants, Sharmila Faruqi, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Abdul Haseeb Khan have been given the status of minister. The chief minister also has four coordinators, including Nadia Gabol enjoying the portfolio of the human rights department.

"A person who is allotted a government department becomes a member of the cabinet," Barrister Zameer Ghumro told The Express Tribune, adding that Article 130 of the Constitution bars the provincial government from exceeding 18 members in the cabinet. Referring to the SHC decision in 2000, Ghumro said the government cannot allot portfolios to advisers. "Advisers and special assistants cannot be given executive authority of a minister," he said. "As per the rules, the CM has to appoint his special assistants after advertising in the newspapers but, unfortunately, this never happens."


Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2014.

COMMENTS (1)

M Talha | 9 years ago | Reply

Pukka once again by ppp and mqm after 13 months shame on both the parties mqm is a party which could become middle class to feudal secular to communal just for seats and power KI is a lot better than mqm anp and ppp

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