Major Sindh cabinet reshuffle on the cards

After a few days speculation, the Sindh government has finally decided on a "major" reshuffle in its cabinet. The changes on the cards include education, information, irrigation, universities and boards, agriculture and food portfolios.

There is also the likelihood of new faces in the provincial setup. Official sources in Sindh government say that all arrangements have been finalised with the approval of the PPP leadership. They add that an oath-taking ceremony will be held soon and followed by a notification of the cabinet members.

"The portfolio of education department is again being allotted to Syed Saradr Shah who currently works as culture minister," says the source. Meanwhile, Saeed Ghani will take over the information and labour department portfolio from where Syed Nasir Shah is to be relieved. He will, however, continue his job as local government minister."

The education portfolio is once again being changed in the wake of criticism from different stakeholders over the poor performance of the department. Sardar Shah, who earlier worked as education minister in 2018 and enrolled his daughter in a government school to show his resolve, will take charge of the ministry.

Sources further reveal that three ministers from the cabinet will be relieved with no further responsibility owing to their poor performances and public complaints against them. They reportedly include Sindh Minister for Irrigation Sohail Anwar Siyal and the Chief Minister's Universities and Board Advisor Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.

Also at risk of losing his position is Hari Ram Kishori Lal who looks after the minorities and food department.

"Nisar Khuhro, who happens to be PPP Sindh president, is supposed to look after party affairs," a PPP leader states. He adds that by relieving Khuhro and Siyal, Larkana district will have no representation in the provincial cabinet.

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"Not only irrigation, but Ushr, Zakat and Auqaf departments are also being withdrawn from Siyal who will be no longer a cabinet member in the present setup," sources say.

Talking about the decisions, a PPP leader says the consultation has been between Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the party leadership has been ongoing for some time. A meeting was reportedly held at the CM house on Wednesday to give final shape to the plan.

According to sources in the know, Sindh Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahu is being replaced with Manzoor Wasan who will work as advisor to CM as he is not a member of the assembly after losing the 2018 election.

The Universities and Boards Department will be given to Ismail Rahu.

PPP MPA Tanzeela Qambrani, who is in the assembly on a reserved seat for women and claims to be the first African-Pakistani lawmaker, is tipped as special assistant to the CM on information technology from where Taimur Talpur is being revealed. The latter will be given the portfolio of the forest department.

MPAs Riaz Shah Shirazi and Rasool Arbab Lutfullah will also be made CM special assistants with Sajjid Jokhio taking a ministry. The latter is likely to be appointed social welfare minister.

In the second phase, the PPP government is going to bring reshuffle in local bodies by changing administrators in Karachi and other districts. The government has reportedly decided to appoint Barrister Murtaza Wahab as KMC administrator. There are reports that he will continue as law advisor to the CM while also working in the municipalities.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2021.