Finance advisor stripped of ministerial status

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government withdrew the declaration of giving the status of minister to the finance advisor after objection from the opposition member at Assembly session.

Opposition had objected that the total number of cabinet members had surpassed the limit.

Previously provincial government had issued a declaration under Article 130(9) of the Constitution to give the status of a minister to the Finance Advisor so the total number of cabinet members increased from 16 to 17.

According to the Constitution, the number of cabinets is limited to 16.

Opposition member Ahmed Kundi raised this issue in the assembly. He said that the government has committed a constitutional violation.

The law minister had assured in this regard that they will examine the constitutional and legal aspects of the matter.

Sources said that Deputy Speaker Suraiya Bibi consulted the Law Department, Advocate General and Law Minister in this regard and was told that the number of Cabinets is up to 16 and the number of Cabinets cannot exceed 16 as per the constitution.

It was told in the meeting that if the declaration of ministerial status to the adviser is returned under Article 130(9) of the Constitution and the declaration will be issued administratively, the ministerial status of this adviser will not affect the cabinet.

On which the previous declaration of giving the status of Finance Minister to the Finance Advisor by the government was reversed and the Finance Advisor was given the status of a Minister through an executive order.