Changing lanes: In a major reshuffle, PML-F and PML-Q are to join the government

With MQM vying for opposition, the opposition eyes its vacant seats.


Hafeez Tunio July 09, 2011

KARACHI:


Once the dust settles at Katti Pahari, a new Sindh will emerge, at least on the provincial assembly benches. Four days of bloodbath have not only altered the city’s administrative boundaries, it has brought about tectonic political shifts as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) continues to press for opposition benches in the Sindh Assembly, the joint opposition, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and the half of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) led by the Chaudhry brothers, have decided to cross the floor to the treasury benches.


After spending an hour locked up in a room having talks with Rehman Malik and Pakistan Peoples Party leaders, Pir Pagaro decided to take up the seats that would be left empty once MQM’s application for opposition seats goes through.

Four lawmakers from the PML-Q like-minded group, led by former chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, however, are to stay put and have welcomed MQM’s decision to shift to the opposition benches.

The new development opens another chapter in the major reshuffling of the Sindh Cabinet as MQM chooses to sit with the opposition for the first time. MQM’s share of ministries would now be given to the new partners.

Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that PML-F, including opposition leader Jam Madad Ali, Rafique Banbhan and Ali Ghulam Nizamani, are to be made ministers and that Imtiaz Shaikh is most likely to be appointed adviser to the chief minister.

Imtiaz Shaikh confirmed the reports and explained that the government has basically decided to give them shares in the Sindh cabinet, but the final decision about portfolios would be made soon.

As for PML-Q, either Shaharyar Mahar or Mohammad Ali Malkani is reportedly to be given a ministry. Meanwhile, Haleem Adil Shaikh and Shah Hussain Sheerazi are to be appointed as advisers.

The like-minded faction of PML-Q, led by the Chaudhry brothers, has four seats in the assembly. They have demanded four portfolios in the provincial government and have thrown their weight behind the 50 members they have in the National Assembly.

“We have asked for health, public health engineering, revenue and industry,” said a PML-Q leader. Though we have decided to support the government, the delays in handing over shares in the cabinet have created some resentment, he added.

“President Asif Ali Zardari is likely to arrive in the city soon. He is expected to preside over the special cabinet meeting in which the final decision regarding the portfolios would be made,” said a PML-Q official.

Sheerazi of PML-Q insists that he be named head of the forest department as his brother used to be its minister during Mushrraf’s regime. Zulfiqar Mirza has been incharge of the department since the PPP came to power and has been unwilling to let go.

“When Dr Mirza was on leave, his portfolios such as home and forest were being looked after by the CM himself. Now he has returned and resumed office and wants to retain his hold on the forest department along with his new assignments.”

Despite the bizarre turn of events, the seasoned politicians are unfazed. “Everything is possible in politics,” said Jam Madad Ali. “We have decided to join the government on the directives of our party leadership.”

Meanwhile, the four members for PML-Q who decided to lag behind are equally satisfied with their new neighbours-to-be on the opposition benches.

“We are the real opposition because the functional league is already coalition partners with the government and their decision to sit on the treasury benches should not come as a surprise,” Deputy parliamentary leader of the party Razzque Rahimoon told The Express Tribune.

He said that out of 168 members of Sindh Assembly the MQM has 51 members and has the right to nominate the opposition leader and they would welcome them on opposition benches.

MQM files for special session

The MQM, meanwhile, filed an application for a special session in the Sindh Assembly on Saturday. The MQM leaders said that they wanted to discuss the failing law and order situation in the city.

The requisition application has been signed by nearly 45 MQM MPAs, including Jam Madad Ali of PML-F.

“We have requested a special session to discuss critical issues such as the killing of innocent people and the brazen freedom with which terrorists operate in the city,” said MQM leader Raza Haroon. “The assembly should convene immediately so that important issues can be discussed and the real situation be exposed to the people.”

Haroon also explained his party’s stance on the commissionerate system, saying that

Rehman Malik and Pir Pagara talks

Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) leader Pir Pagara met with PPP leaders including Zulfiqar Mirza and federal interior minister Rehman Malik and suggested that armed forces be deployed in Karachi to maintain the law and order situation.

Pir Pagara spoke to the media after the meeting during which the decision for PML-F to join the treasury benches of the Sindh assembly.

Zulfiqar Mirza recently handed over the mantle of home minister to Manzoor Wasan and was named the senior minister of the Sindh Government. He has also been given the portfolio for the works and service department.

For the first time in Sindh’s history the government has named two of its cabinet members as senior ministers. Sindh education minister, Pir Mazharul Haq already holds the rank, but now the same position - which holds the same status as the chief minister - has been given to Mirza, said a source on the condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Malik made some exhaustive statements about the violence in the city claiming that militants were responsible. “I cannot disclose their names at this moment and am waiting for proper time to share the details with you,” he said.

He praised law enforcement agencies and said that many people involved in the violence have been arrested.

“The joint interrogation team has started investigations but right now we cannot share the names of these people with you. We will bring the suspects before the media once the investigation is complete.”



Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2011.

COMMENTS (8)

hassan | 12 years ago | Reply

@ Ram Khan: I want to know when Pir Pagara saen has remaind in opposition. His party (PML-F) joins very cabinet wether is elected or not. The role of his party for development of socio-economic condition is opend secreate..

dr.Inam ur Rahman Khan | 12 years ago | Reply

I hope there is no more violence in our country any more.Inclusion of Pir Saheb Pagara in govt.will be beneficial.

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