Petrol crisis: Heads must roll in cabinet, PM advised

Amidst fierce criticism, PM weighs his options

ISLAMABAD: After a firestorm of criticism over the lingering petrol crisis, the prime minister has been conferring with his close aides on how to soothe frayed tempers. And The Express Tribune has learnt that Nawaz Sharif’s aides have called for ‘political heads to roll’ in a bid to deflect pressure from the government.

The premier, however, is reluctant to take action against his cabinet colleagues, even though he has suspended some top bureaucrats for failing to foresee or forestall the crisis. His aides want him to show the door to at least one or two members of his cabinet who allegedly share the blame for the petrol crisis playing out in Punjab.

But with the political barbs flying thick and fast, the prime minister is growing warmer to the idea of sacrificing a cabinet colleague or two, sources told The Express Tribune. Three men appear to be in the firing line — Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Sources said that the premier was incensed over the acute fuel shortage that quickly snowballed into a crisis. At Monday’s meeting the three ministers clarified their respective positions but couldn’t convince the prime minister as to who was to blame. “It’s better that I hold myself responsible for the crisis,” a visibly angry premier told the ministers in a sarcastic tone as they sought to absolve themselves of responsibility, sources said.

The prime minister’s aides believe that those responsible for the petrol crisis have reversed all the gains made by the government through its continuous petroleum price cutting measures over the last two months.

If the prime minister shows the door to one or more ministers, it will not only help the government in tackling the issue on the political front but will also send a strong message to other cabinet members that only the competent will survive, sources added.

PM Nawaz has been reluctant to take such a decision for more than one reason. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also a close relative of the prime minister, is believed to be practically running several affairs of the PML-N government.

Sources said that one option under consideration was to take back the additional portfolio of water and power from Khawaja Asif, who is also defence minister in the federal cabinet.

However, sources said that most accusing fingers were being raised at Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the minister for petroleum, who admitted on Monday that he shared the responsibility for the crisis. Some within the prime minister’s close circle believe that Abbasi’s sacrifice could earn the prime minister some good will.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2015.

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