Power-sharing: Differences mar cabinet formation in Balochistan

NP, PkMAP demand equal representation while PML-N wants to reserve majority.

ISLAMABAD:

Differences among the coalition partners in Balochistan have marred the formation of the cabinet in the province, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior official revealed that the allied parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, National Party (NP) and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) – are still carrying out consultation over the allocation of provincial departments to the incoming ministers despite a considerable lapse of time.

“Disagreement over the allocation of departments and the share [of each party] in the 15-member cabinet are the actual causes of the delay,” the official maintained.

While a three-member cabinet has been formed since last week, it is practically non-functioning since none of the members have been allocated any portfolios yet.



According to NP central secretary general Tahir Bizenjo, constitutional provisions which demand that the annual provincial budget be approved by the cabinet before it is made public forced the coalition government to announce a three-member cabinet. He conceded that the three parties have not made any breakthrough as far as the allocation of portfolios is concerned, but expected the cabinet to be finalised by next month.

PkMAP central secretary general Akram Shah, however, denied there were any differences between the three coalition partners. He too admitted, though, that it would take them another month to finalise the provincial cabinet.

“Our desire to resolve all issues pertaining to the cabinet and to create better understanding [between the coalition partners] is the reason behind the delay,” Shah said, adding, “PkMAP does not believe in hatching conspiracies against its ruling partners.”

According to Shah, his party has demanded five out of the 15 portfolios. PML-N Balochistan chapter president Sanaullah Zehri, however, is not willing to allot the party more than three ministries.

A close aide of Zehri argued that despite being the largest parliamentary party, PML-N had already conceded the chief minister’s slot to one junior coalition partner (NP) and the governor’s slot to the other junior party (PkMAP).

“Both parties should not demand equal representation in the cabinet now… Why do they keep on insisting when they have been given the province’s top offices,” he asserted.

According to sources, PML-N wants to reserve nine cabinet portfolios for itself and is willing to spare three each for NP and PkMAP.

The two junior partners, however, counter by saying they have conceded the Balochistan Assembly speaker and deputy speaker slots for PML-N. They argued that as such PML-N should not ask for more than five cabinet slots.

The three coalition partners are also struggling to clinch important portfolios, such as planning and development, finance, communication and works, education, irrigation, public health and engineering, revenue, excise and taxation, home, mines and minerals, fisheries and food, and the Balochistan Development Authority. Comparatively less important portfolios, such as zakat and ushr, women’s development, social welfare and jails, are not the first choice of any of the parties.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2013.