PPP must give up Sindh ministries, says Pagara

Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PML-F) annoyed over the change of portfolios in the Sindh cabinet, called a meeting on Saturday to review the situation. Pir Pagara said if PPP wants to continue reconciliation, it must reduce its number of ministries.
Pagara’s party has lost ministries after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) rejoining the government. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah called a meeting of ministers and advisers belonging to PML-F at the CM House. Youth Affairs Minister Jam Madad Ali, Auqaf Minister Rafiq Banbhan, Mines and Minerals Minister Imam-ud-din Shouqeen and advisor to CM for Information Technology (IT) Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh joined the meeting.
In the meeting, the Sindh CM ask them to vacate ministries which previously belonged to the MQM and promised to accommodate them in other ministries. PML-F ministers told the CM Sindh they were not empowered to decide on the issue and must consult Pir Pagara. The PML-F delegation reached Kingri house to meet Pagara and informed him of the development. Pagra had called a meeting at his residence on Saturday to discus the situation.
Sources said PML-F demanded two ministries, Cooperative and Ministry of Works and Services. Talking to media after meeting, Pagara said that his party had lost to the MQM after it rejoined the collation. He said if PPP want to continue policy of reconciliation, they must surrender their own ministries in the month of sacrifices. He said while the government has it own problems, it must not harm allies.
Talking about Nawaz Sharif, Pagara said Nawaz is stranger in Sindh and will not benefit from Sindh. PML-F had enjoyed the ministries for only 3 months before the Sindh CM asked them to return the ministries since the MQM has rejoined the coalition. PML-F may take a decision regarding the ministries while the Sindh government may accommodate PML-F ministers in other ministries.