Power politics: PML-F returns ministries to MQM

The three ministries, currently with PML-Q ministers, will also be handed over.

KARACHI: The portfolio dispute between the Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) and Sindh government was finally resolved on when they decided to hand over the departments to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

According to a notification issued on Saturday night, the Information Technology Department portfolio was taken from PML-F minister Imtiaz Shaikh and returned to MQM minister Raza Haroon. Shaikh, in return, was given the Special Education Ministry. The Youth Affairs Ministry portfolio was handed back to Faisal Sabzwari while PML-F minister Jam Madad Ali was given the science and technology portfolio.

However, the Auqaf Department was not taken back from PML-F minister Dr Rafique Banbhan, instead MQM minister Haseeb Khan was appointed as the minister of the Religious Affairs department. The Transport department portfolio was handed over to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minister Akhtar Jadoon, while the forests ministry was given to PPP Ali Nawaz Shah Rizvi.

Sources claim that the portfolio dispute was resolved on directives of President Asif Ali Zardari. Previously, PML-F chief Pir Pagara had refused to return the ministries to the MQM ministers. While talking to The Express Tribune Imtiaz Shaikh said that they had no objection in returning the portfolios, but the whole issue was not being dealt with in a reasonable manner. “We are also a part of the coalition government,” he said. “The chief minister just asked us to return the ministries but did not tell us what we would get in return.” He added they did not have a problem in returning the ministries but the attitude of the government. On the other hand sources told The Express Tribune that the remaining three ministries including sports and environment would also be given to MQM ministers. These ministries are currently with Pakistan Muslim League-Qauid ministers Haleem Adil Shaikh, Shaharyar Mahar and Aijaz Shah Sherazi.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2011.