The Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) on Saturday agreed to vacate its ministries in Sindh and left the decision of allotting alternate ministries with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led Sindh government.
In a meeting held at Kingri House between PML-F chief Pir Pagara and PPP’s Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq and Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, both parties were of the same mind as regards the commissionerate system in the province. The PPP ministers sought Pagara’s forgiveness and requested him to forgive Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah considering his old age.
They also requested Pagara to review his stance on changes in portfolios of ministers belonging to his party. Earlier this month, Pagara had warned the provincial government that the PML-F would sit on the opposition benches in the Sindh Assembly if the party’s ministries are taken back.
“The PPP always changes its stand. If our ministries are taken back, we shall talk to President Asif Ali Zardari because our agreement is with him and not with the chief minister,” Pagara had said. He had condemned his party being used and thrown like a tissue paper, and had said his party would welcome anyone who would replace the chief minister.
Responding to a question, Pagara said the Supreme Court has not issued any verdict, but merely released suggestions. “It is mandatory for the judiciary to issue verdicts and not suggestions,” he added. Youth Affairs Minister Jam Madad Ali, Auqaf Minister Rafiq Banbhan and Chief Minister’s Information Technology Adviser Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh were allotted the ministries that belonged to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) when it was part of the government.
When the MQM returned to the Sindh government, the chief minister expressed his wish to allot the party the same ministries. Following the meeting between the PML-F and the PPP, Pagara said the provincial government could change the portfolios of his party’s ministers. Moreover, Pagara left the decision of allotting new portfolios with the provincial government.
After the meeting, the education minister told the media, “The people of Sindh are in favour of the commissionerate system, but an ally does not agree with it.” He said the people of the province do not want the nazim system introduced by former president Pervez Musharraf. He also said the PPP and PML-F’s stand on the local bodies system is the same, adding that Pagara has agreed on changing the portfolios of his party’s ministers, but not on implementing the nazim system.
“The PPP and the PML-F are in favour of the commissionerate system, which our ally should also agree on,” he added.
