Shahbaz, the Super CM who heads 18 ministries

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.