Opposing the verdict: The judiciary is only eyeing Sindh, says information adviser

Sindh govt to challenge SHC's decision against Murtaza Wahab as provincial law adviser

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to challenge the Sindh High Court's (SHC) decision against provincial law adviser Murtaza Wahab in the Supreme Court.

"This decision is tantamount to challenging provincial autonomy," said Sindh information adviser Maula Bux Chandio, while addressing a press conference at the New Sindh Secretariat on Wednesday

Along with other advisers and special assistants, Chandio questioned why such decisions are not made against other provinces and the federal government.

'It looks like there are two parallel constitutions, that is, one for Sindh and other for the remaining three provinces and the federal government," said Chandio, who was flanked by labour advisor Senator Saeed Ghani, Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui and half a dozen special assistants to the chief minister (CM), who have been given various portfolios to run different departments.

"The honourable judiciary is interfering into government matters," said Chandio. "An appeal was filed before the court against the law adviser, but the court has given a general verdict against all of Sindh government's advisers and special assistants."

He added that the CM is an elected representative and he has discretion to appoint advisers, special assistants as other team members in order to serve the masses.

"After the 18th Amendment, the Constitution of Pakistan allows the CMs to use their powers to function as a democracy but hurdles are being created," he said, questioning why action is not being taken against the prime minister's (PM) advisers who also run the show.

"Sartaj Aziz, Ameer Muqam, Jam Mashooque and others work as the PM's advisers with different portfolios but no one takes action against them and the judiciary is only eyeing Sindh," said Chandio, while referring to the SHC's remarks that no adviser or special assistant can attend the cabinet meeting and run the department.

"Only elected representatives, being ministers, can have portfolios of various departments," the court said on Tuesday.

"Every decision should be made under the ambit of law. No one has the authority to exceed powers," said Ghani.

He added that the case was only against the law adviser, but the decision has been given against all cabinet members.

Senator Ghani said that special assistants are appointed under the law and there is nothing wrong with giving them portfolios. "There are 42 departments; however, only 18 ministers cannot run the show. There is a dire need for advisers and assistants," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2016.