Keeping order: CM pays ‘conciliatory’ visit to Bijarani’s house
Move follows reports of forward bloc formation
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
In a surprise move, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah reached the residence of 'annoyed' Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) provincial lawmaker Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani on Monday and held a meeting with him.
The development comes following reports that PPP's Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman, who recently expressed reservations against the PPP government [for disregarding the significance of Makhdooms of Hala in the provincial government setup], has started consulting party leaders to make a forward bloc. Bijarani was reportedly upset following a cabinet reshuffle that saw the CM taking back his portfolio of works and services department last year.
According to the reshuffle in July 2015, Bijarani was given the education ministry but he did not take charge, demanding that education secretary Fazullah Pechuho be transferred first. Pechuho is the brother-in-law of PPP supremo Asif Ali Zardari.
As Bijarani's request was not heeded to, he refused to take charge of the ministry, forcing the government to re-allot the ministry to Nisar Khuhro.
Party sources said Bijarani indirectly conveyed to the party leadership that he will not tolerate the status quo further. "PPP leadership asked the CM to visit Bijarani and give him another portfolio without any delay," said a source.
On the other hand, speaking to the media, the CM rebutted reports of a forward bloc being formed, saying the party stands united.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2016.
In a surprise move, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah reached the residence of 'annoyed' Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) provincial lawmaker Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani on Monday and held a meeting with him.
The development comes following reports that PPP's Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman, who recently expressed reservations against the PPP government [for disregarding the significance of Makhdooms of Hala in the provincial government setup], has started consulting party leaders to make a forward bloc. Bijarani was reportedly upset following a cabinet reshuffle that saw the CM taking back his portfolio of works and services department last year.
According to the reshuffle in July 2015, Bijarani was given the education ministry but he did not take charge, demanding that education secretary Fazullah Pechuho be transferred first. Pechuho is the brother-in-law of PPP supremo Asif Ali Zardari.
As Bijarani's request was not heeded to, he refused to take charge of the ministry, forcing the government to re-allot the ministry to Nisar Khuhro.
Party sources said Bijarani indirectly conveyed to the party leadership that he will not tolerate the status quo further. "PPP leadership asked the CM to visit Bijarani and give him another portfolio without any delay," said a source.
On the other hand, speaking to the media, the CM rebutted reports of a forward bloc being formed, saying the party stands united.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2016.