Shahbaz, the Super CM who heads 18 ministries

By
Hussain
-
22
259

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has indulged in an internal strife on the controversial issue of former party president and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif keeping dozens of ministries, which according to some party lobbyists, is soiling party’s reputation and image at the critical time when general elections are near.
Infighting has increased after party lobbyists came up with divergent views on the burning issue that whether CM should continue to retain all the ministries, around 18, or give them up to prevent party from further dents.
In the absence of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, who is abroad for his medical check-up, the party members are busy presenting different options on this issue, it has been learnt.
Insiders told Pakistan Today that during some party meetings, senior party leaders had already asked Nawaz Sharif to take stock of the problematic area and the current buzz in relation to this issue had also been brought into his notice.
One lobbyist said the CM had kept the cabinet size small to husband the resources and he had really succeeded in economising Punjab’s budget in his austerity drive. Lobbyist said the hullabaloo on the issue was politically motivated and was triggered by Pakistan People’s Party. Another lobbyist said except some issues, the performance of ministries run by Shahbaz Sharif was outstanding and he deserved applause instead criticism.
Differing with this opinion, another PML-N group believed that nobody could justify one person holding so many ministries. “The CM is a human being not a superman and he cannot do handle so many portfolios,” a party member said.
He said more than three crisis, claiming hundred of lives, had arisen in the health sectors and the reason behind them was the one-man-show. “We asked the party members to convince Shahbaz Sharif to shed the extra portfolios to improve the governance but so far to no avail,” he added.
PML-N Secretary Information Mushahid Ullah Khan told Pakistan Today that the issue of CM’s portfolios was never tabled during party meetings nor had Nawaz Sharif discussed it. Terming the matter a non-issue, he said having performed well for various ministries, CM basically saved public money. “PPP is behind the negative propagation on the issue. PPP is so desperate that it is trying to politicise every issue whether it merits or not,” he said.
Per information, Shahbaz Sharif holds 18 ministries, including Health, Communication & Works, S&GAD, Tourism, Local Government and Community Development, Environment, Home, Special Education, Energy, Information Culture and Youth Affairs, Sports, Population, Social Welfare, Housing and others.
According to date available from CM Punjab website http://chiefminister.punjab.gov.pk, there are only 9 ministers with 25 ministries. Ministers included Ahmad Ali Aulakh (Agriculture, Additional Charge Cooperatives, Livestock & Dairy Development Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, Irrigation), Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor Khan (P & D, Food, Additional Charge Mines & Minerals), Haji Ehsan-ud-Din Qureshi (Auqaf & Religious Affairs, Additional Charge Bait ul Maal & Labour), Kamran Michael (Finance, Human Rights & Minorities, Additional Charge Women’s Development), Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar (Prisons), Malik Nadeem Kamran (Zakat & Ushr) Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur- Rehman (Excise & Taxation, Additional ChargeHigher, Education, School Education, Literacy, Transport), Rana Sana Ullah Khan (Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Additional Charge Revenue), Sirdar Dost Muhammad Khan Khosa (Industries, Commerce & Investment).
LHC MOVED AGAINST 18 PORTFOLIOS: The Lahore High Court has been moved against the holding of portfolios of 18 ministries by Shahbaz Sharif, terming it unlawful and unconstitutional.
The petition was filed by Noshab Khan, a local lawyer, who said this was in violation of Business Act 1974 government of Punjab for chief minister to keep charge of additional portfolios and ministries.
The petitioner prayed to the LHC to summon Punjab chief secretary on behalf of the CM and direct him to take comments from the CM, adding that the CM be asked to relinquish all extra ministries.

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22 COMMENTS

  4. I think there is no harm keeping 18 ministries as Shehbaz has an efficient team and they are managing well… Accidents happen but such incidents should not happen at all…he still is my fav CM and I like the way he works

  8. He is the man, he is saving money and still administration in Punjab is 101 times better than any other province!
    And i bet if there was a federal govt of his party than his perform would 10 times better than now!
    And I don’t know why every single problem in Punjab is blamed on CM, there is no such practice in any other province! And guys who are abusing him mind ur language u can criticize him anyway but by this don’t show ur ethics, I go to government officers where those CSS officers are sitting. They come at office at their time exact time. It was never before in any other government! HE IS AN ADMINISTRATOR!

    • Why dont you go and explain your views about Shahbaz Sharif to the families of the deceased due to the deadly drug rampage…I am sure they would give you a good response…

  9. He has destroyed Punjab because of his arrogance and ego. He is a sick-minded man who deserves to be banned from politics forever. I hope April 2013 comes soon, so we can get rid of him, his tenure has been the worst in Punjab’s history, he thinks that cosmetic measures can win him votes but he is wrong, he never behaves like a CM. He behaves like a circus joker, just look at what he talks, he utters shameless words in his speeches, he tries to copy Bhutto by breaking mikes in speeches, he is just full of cheapness.

  11. y we dont blame hospital administration bcos afterall its we the people who are working dishonestly everywhere. after abusing politicians zardari or shahbaz we feel that we are free from the blame. if we dont change ourselves after next election may b we are abusing imran khan bcos nobody can change us overnight even in 5 years.

  16. Basically he is working man but unfortunately and his political admired peoples are at top posts. They just show him everything is ok but nothing is ok. In Gujrat there is only 23000 rupees in District Accounts at national bank. People are wandering in offices to get their claims. I think he must check all departments with keen

  19. What do you mean by 18 ministries? Should we have a separate minister for each petty provincial department with a fleet of escort vehicles and an army of protocol staff for each minister? Should we make all the MPAs as provincial ministers like in Baluchistan? No way. Shahbaz Sharif is doing best than any other chief minister or political office bearer in federal and all provincial governments.

    • Well said public servant! We have a fleet of ministers in the Zardari-Gillani's corrupt establishment at federal government level yet Railway, PIA, WAPDA and which not among the federally administrated departments, have been destroyed due to their corruption. PML (N)'s provincial government, though facing lot of difficulties, is not less than an example for good governance. Long live Shahbaz! We need you and not fleet of corrupt ministers.

  20. Noon League has fixed to pay Rs.500,000 for any death occured due to Dengue or Drug scandal. I offer to pay Rs.500,000 and allow me to kill Hamza Shahbaz Sharif.

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