ISLAMABAD: While the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) contemplates handing back ministerial portfolios that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) held before quitting the Sindh government, the latter is pressing the government to trade its quota of ministries for more lucrative ones such as the local government ministry.
“We would like to get some good ministry like the local government in exchange for some of the minor ministries we held before,” an MQM leader told The Express Tribune requesting anonymity.
The MQM held a total of 13 ministries in the Sindh cabinet before quitting the coalition in June this year. Even though the party had left the government, the resignations of their ministers were not accepted; however six of their ministries were given to the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F).
(Read: Portfolio politics - Too many men, not enough ministries)
Ministries of sports, environment and rural development were given to the PML-Q while the ministries of information technology, Auqaf and youth affairs were allotted to the PML-F.
It is believed that the PPP wants to accommodate these two parties by allotting them some ministries currently looked after by the Sindh chief minister and to return all the portfolios the MQM held before parting ways with the government.
“Many of our ministers are without portfolio. The only good ministry we have is the health ministry,” an MQM legislator said, requesting that his name not be cited. The legislator added that the chief minister and governor would take a final decision on the matter within the next few days.
The MQM is currently holding the ministries of health, bureau of supply and prices control, industries, human rights, public health and engineering.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (15)
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MQM and the quest for ministiries - What's new there?
Sure! Especially with Zardari in power!!!
Good here is defined as one with the most potential for making money. Examples of "good ministries" in this case would be Health, Local Government and Education.
Important ministries are usually Law, Finance and Home.
Democracy is the best revenge.
Only democracy is the way to go!
@waqar: Nice, very nice. "Bandar Baantt" all the way. Toooooooo many political parties, meaning secular and religious. Salams.
representative government of the people for the people??? democracy in action.. NOT.
Pir Sahab Pagara is a loyal & committed person(Sadly I cant say that about many others). Under his watch his team will do a superb job I am sure. We must involve all to have a functioning government & avoid monopoly of one, it only breed corruption. Zardar Sahab is making smart moves already.
Human rights is with MQM- way to go !!!!
Not once, not ONCE do I read the words 'on merit' or 'on solid credentials'. This is just revoltingly disgusting.
Q League to forget about the ministries . From now on to focus on Moonis Elahi's release only.
~Lotay aur Lutairay :)
Tribune keep up the good blogging posts
Well said @waqar