Comments sought on CM’s bloated cabinet

Petitioner says 18 ministers, 17 advisers and special assistants illegal

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued on Friday notices to the advocate-general to file comments on behalf of the provincial government regarding the appointment of over 15 members of the Sindh Assembly by the new chief minister (CM) in excess of the number permitted by law.

Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed the two-judge bench, fixed the hearing on August 31.

Moulvi Iqbal Haider had approached the SHC against the appointment of MPAs by the new CM, saying it is a gross violation of Article 130 (6) of the Constitution that stipulates the government to not exceed the strength of the cabinet from 11% of the total membership of the assembly.

CM Murad Ali Shah appointed 17 provincial ministers, advisers and special assistants on July 30 in the first phase and then further expanded his cabinet by appointing nine more ministers and 11 special assistants in the second phase, said the petitioner.

He argued that after the 18th constitutional amendment, it was clearly directed that the strength of the cabinet will not be more than 11% of the total members of the assembly. Haider further argued that according to Article 92 and Article 130 (11), the CM and the prime minister are only allowed to appoint five advisers each.

The petitioner, therefore, requested the court to declare the excessive appointments illegal and also sought their suspension ‘as they are a heavy burden upon the taxpayers’.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2016.