PHOTO: FILE
Provincial Ministers Samsam Bukhari and Muhammad Basharat Raja lost their portfolios in the second major reshuffle in the Punjab cabinet. According to a notification issued by the Punjab Chief Minister’s office, the portfolio of Samsam Bukhari was changed from the Information and Culture Department to the Consolidation of Holdings Department. He was handed the information and culture portfolio just four months ago in March.
Punjab Industries, Commerce and Investment Department Minister Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal has been given an additional charge of the Information and Culture Department.
In the cabinet reshuffle, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has taken back the charge of the Tourism Department from Yasir Humayun, however, he will continue as Minister of Higher Education Department. Sports Minister Muhammad Taimur Khan has been given the Tourism Department, while Mohammad Ajmal has been inducted into the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team.
Samsam Bukhari loses information ministry in Punjab cabinet reshuffle
As per the provision of the Punjab Government Rules of Business 2011, the chief minister has kept the charge of Local Government and Community Development and Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Departments with him.
The decision to a reshuffling in Punjab cabinet is aimed to improve governance in Punjab. Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and Governor Chaudhary Sarwar did deliberations on this reshuffle during Thursday’s meeting, besides discussing matters related to development projects and public welfare in the province.
A few months ago, following his outburst against Hindus, Punjab information minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan was removed from his post.
Chohan resigned after Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar asked him to step down, Express News quoted Dr Shahbaz Gill as saying.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Twitter account also confirmed the development.
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“PTI Punjab government has removed Fayyaz Chohan from the post of Punjab Information Minister following derogatory remarks about the Hindu community,” the account tweeted. “Bashing someone’s faith should not be a part of any narrative. Tolerance is the first and foremost pillar on which Pakistan was built.”
The former Punjab minister had used foul language against Hindu community while criticising India.
“You cow urine-drinking people, listen to me… we are Muslims and we have the flag of Hazrat Ali (RA) and Hazrat Umar (RA)’s bravery. You don’t have that flag,” he had said in a media talk. “Idol-worshippers” shouldn’t operate under the delusion that they are better than Pakistan.”
Leaders of different political parties slammed Punjab’s information minister for the derogatory remarks.
Recently, Chohan has been appointed as the forestry, fisheries and wildlife minister. Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi administered the oath at the Governor House. The ministry was being held by Sibtain Khan who was facing corruption cases. He resigned from the post on June 15.
On Saturday (today) Buzdar will preside over the Punjab cabinet meeting at the committee room of his office in which 19-point agenda will be reviewed, said a press release issued by the Chief Minister office. Ministers, advisers, special assistants, the chief secretary, and high officials will attend the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2019.
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