Muzaffar reportedly loses ministry over investigating scam

"I have no knowledge of such a scam and what role it had in Muzaffar losing the health ministry" says Sharjeel Memon.

KARACHI: In September, Owais Muzzaffar had told the media that a massive scam of around Rs800 million would be referred to NAB and the anti-corruption department. “It is not only Sukkur where massive irregularities have come to fore. The amount has also been misappropriated from 2012 to 2013 in other districts. I will take action against the people involved in the scam, no matter whose support they enjoy,” he said.

Soon after, the health department portfolio was taken back from Muzaffar which lead to reports connecting the decision with the scam. “Powerful lobbies in the government, who kith and kin were involved in the scam, started approaching Muzaffar in an attempt to stop the inquiry before it began,” said a senior health department official while referring to two influential Pakistan Peoples Party leaders.  “When Muzaffar refused to back down, they reportedly complained to Zardari about him, prompting the former president to direct the chief minister to take back Muzaffar’s health portfolio.”

The spokesperson for Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, however, denied the reports, saying, “All allegations about the differences between the CM, Muzaffar and even other PPP leaders are baseless,” said the spokesperson.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon also termed the transfer of ministry as routine, adding that it was the CM’s prerogative to allot or take away the portfolio from anyone. “I have no knowledge of such a big scam and what role it had in Muzaffar losing the health ministry. I cannot comment on it,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2013.