Protesting incapacity: ‘Toothless’ state minister threatens to quit post
'I am a state minister, but I have no say. I cannot take any decision nor does the bureaucracy act upon my orders'
PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
State Minister for Communication Abdul Hakeem Baloch threatened the other day that if the Prime Minister did not immediately accept his resignation, he would simply abandon the post.
According to him, he had been serving as a ‘dummy state minister’ for the past two years.
Baloch said that it was now impossible for him to continue to work without any authority.
“I am a state minister, but I have no say. I cannot take any decision nor does the bureaucracy act upon my orders. Even if I try to do something for improving the ministry’s performance, I have to overcome many obstacles,” he maintained.
Baloch insisted that there were some ‘bigwigs’ who take all decisions in connection with the ministry and he was kept isolated from all decisions. He also maintained that major decisions had even been taken in the ministry without his knowledge.
“I recently talked with the PM about the status of my resignation. I am awaiting his approval. However, if there is any further delay, I will simply abandon my post,” he said.
Meanwhile, an anonymous official of the Ministry of Communication told The Express Tribune that the state minister had protested over being a ‘toothless minister’ but no one had so far paid any attention.
According to the official, some time ago, the state minister stopped visiting his office for months in protest, besides persistently boycotting several inaugural ceremonies organised by the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The official said that in his estimation, Baloch maybe facing this situation because of some political differences or a personal row.
Baloch belongs to Pakistan Muslim League-N and the party’s only candidate who secured a National Assembly seat from Sindh.
Before being named a state minister, he served as minister of state for railways. He faced a similar situation and tendered his resignation.
In June 2014, he was appointed as the state minister for communication.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2016.
State Minister for Communication Abdul Hakeem Baloch threatened the other day that if the Prime Minister did not immediately accept his resignation, he would simply abandon the post.
According to him, he had been serving as a ‘dummy state minister’ for the past two years.
Baloch said that it was now impossible for him to continue to work without any authority.
“I am a state minister, but I have no say. I cannot take any decision nor does the bureaucracy act upon my orders. Even if I try to do something for improving the ministry’s performance, I have to overcome many obstacles,” he maintained.
Baloch insisted that there were some ‘bigwigs’ who take all decisions in connection with the ministry and he was kept isolated from all decisions. He also maintained that major decisions had even been taken in the ministry without his knowledge.
“I recently talked with the PM about the status of my resignation. I am awaiting his approval. However, if there is any further delay, I will simply abandon my post,” he said.
Meanwhile, an anonymous official of the Ministry of Communication told The Express Tribune that the state minister had protested over being a ‘toothless minister’ but no one had so far paid any attention.
According to the official, some time ago, the state minister stopped visiting his office for months in protest, besides persistently boycotting several inaugural ceremonies organised by the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The official said that in his estimation, Baloch maybe facing this situation because of some political differences or a personal row.
Baloch belongs to Pakistan Muslim League-N and the party’s only candidate who secured a National Assembly seat from Sindh.
Before being named a state minister, he served as minister of state for railways. He faced a similar situation and tendered his resignation.
In June 2014, he was appointed as the state minister for communication.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2016.