Nadeem Bhutto and Sadiq Ali Memon became the newest members of the Sindh Cabinet after they took oath on Friday at Governor House. They both belong to the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
They are from decidedly middle-class backgrounds and got the seats because of old party affiliations. Bhutto won the election from PS-90 in Keamari. He is the son of Lal Bux Bhutto, a PPP stalwart, who was elected an MPA twice and once served as minister for public health engineering in the cabinet of Abdullah Shah, the then chief minister of Sindh.
Nadeem Bhutto started his political career with the People’s Students Federation (PSF). He has an MA in International Relations and left off a PhD in European Studies when he was elected MPA. Talking to The Express Tribune, Bhutto said his aim was to continue working on the mission of late party chairperson Benazir Bhutto to bring reform in society. He has yet to be assigned a portfolio.
Sadiq Memon, who is an engineer by profession, belongs to Thatta district and contested the by-election after the death of his brother Jalil Memon in a road accident.
Jalil Memon was the minister for cooperative societies and after his death, the party decided to give his seat to his younger brother.
Up till now there were 46 cabinet members, including the chief minister. But when the 14 Muttahida Qaumi Movement ministers resigned the number went down to 32.
When Opposition parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and PML-Q, joined the government, four of their ministers were added, bringing the total strength to 36. These recent appointments make it 38, along with five advisers, three of whom have the status of ministers.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2011.
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