Sheikh Rasheed stirs controversy over information portfolio

–Railways minister overheard claiming that PM Imran has offered him info ministry, retracts remark after Fawad Chaudhry’s response

–Fawad says will step aside for Rasheed if PM thinks he’s better suited to become govt’s spokesman

With only over 100 days in power, cracks are appearing in the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government as key members of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet have trained their sights on each other’s ministries, it has been observed.

A week after reports of an apparent rift between Finance Minister Asad Umar and some party leaders, including Jahangir Khan Tareen, over the former’s economic policy came to the fore, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Saturday claimed that he might replace Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

In an ‘off-camera’ talk with an official before a press conference in Lahore, the railways minister claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan offered him the Information Ministry, which he hinted he would gladly accept.

According to remarks aired by TV channels, the minister claimed he had held four meetings with PM Imran on Friday, in which he reportedly asked him to join the Information Ministry.

“I told him to let Fawad return from London … he’s there on an eight-day picnic,” he took a jibe on the information minister.

“I will say I love you, Thank you,” said the railways minister when asked what would be his response if PM had offered him Fawad’s post.

FAWAD SAYS MORE THAN HAPPY TO LET MINISTERSHIP GO:

Info Minister Fawad, who is in London, responded to Rasheed’s press conference in a tweet, saying he would be happy to vacate his ministry for Rasheed and serve as an ordinary lawmaker if the premier thinks Rasheed is suited for the job.

“I will be more than happy to vacate my position for Sheikh Rasheed sb and serve as MNA, we all use trust powers bestowed by people of Pakistan and PM decides who is best fit in the role, However, till I am minister I will not bow to blackmailing of advertisement lobby,” he tweeted.

I will be more than happy to vacate my position for Sheikh Rasheed sb and serve as MNA, we all use trust powers bestowed by people of Pakistan and PM decides who is best fit in the role, However, till I am minister ll not bow to blackmailing of Advertisement lobby

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) December 8, 2018

Later in the evening, Rasheed appeared on a TV channel and tried to issue a ‘clarification’ about his earlier remarks, saying Fawad was like a younger brother and he would never be a part of ‘conspiracy’ against him.

“I have no intention to take over the Information Ministry. Even if the premier offers me the portfolio I will politely refuse,” Rasheed said.

Along with Rasheed, PM Office also issued a clarification in an attempt at damage control. It said that PM Imran has no plans of removing Fawad from the Information Ministry.

Earlier this month, the premier had hinted a reshuffle in the federal cabinet during his first interview after assuming the top office of the country in August. He was interacting with a select group of senior journalists in Islamabad.

On performance of federal ministers in the first 100 days, PM Imran said he had received progress reports from the federal cabinet, especially on the cost-cutting measures they had taken. “The government will act on these reports … and it might make some changes in the cabinet,” he remarked. The decision of any changes in the cabinet will be made by the next week, he added.

According to sources, all federal secretaries will brief Prime Minister Imran on the performance of their respective ministries during the first 100 days of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in a special meeting to be held on Monday.

Since the PM had set specific targets for all federal ministers, the briefing would not be given by the ministers themselves, sources said and added that according to the agenda of the meeting, only the prime minister would ask questions whereas the ministers would not even be authorised to raise any queries.

“Every ministry will be given 10 minutes for the briefing while the federal secretaries have been directed to present a concise and to-the-point presentation,” they said.