With new elections in its hindsight, the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership has given the go-ahead to bring about some necessary changes in the government as well as the party structure in the province.
The decision was made on Saturday at a Bilawal House meeting of the PPP, presided over by its co-chairman and President Asif Ali Zardari, where some senior leaders of the PPP Sindh chapter and provincial cabinet members empowered the party co-chairman for taking decisions in this regard
The president is likely to announce the changes in cabinet and party’s organisation during his next week visit to Sindh.
The meeting – held in two parts – was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah among senior PPP leaders, federal and provincial ministers including Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Raza Rabbani, Naveed Qamar, Nisar Khuhro, Ayaz Soomro, Faryal Talpur, Agha Siraj Durani, Pir Mazharul Haq, Murad Ali Shah, Jam Saifullah Dharejo and Mir Nadir Magsi.
Regarding PPP’s reorganisation, it was decided to recruit personnel for the vacant positions at district and tehsil levels, motivate the office-bearers currently inactive and take disciplinary action against party leaders and members involved in violating discipline.
According to insiders, the party leaders also decided to make changes in the PPP Karachi chapter’s structure. “It is likely that former Karachi chapter president Senator Faisal Raza Abidi will be reappointed on his position while some other office-bearers of the city may also be changed,” they told Pakistan Today.
Talking with journalists after the meeting, provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, while not confirming the decision about changes in the Sindh cabinet, however said that some “important” decisions will be made during the upcoming visit to Sindh of President Zardari.
“Decisions have been taken for reorganisation of party and action against those violating party discipline and filling vacant party offices,” he said. “The president has directed the provincial government to fill vacant posts above 17-Grade in different government departments and formulate legislation for increasing the number of Sindh Public Service Commission members.”
Responding to a question regarding a new local government system, Soomro said the legislation in this regard would be made after developing consensus among all coalition partners. “No legislation would be made against the wishes of the people and interests of the province.”
Federal Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar told the journalists that issues pertaining to the upcoming Senate elections, general elections and party issues at provincial and national levels were discussed during the meeting.
Answering a query, he said that Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s politics did not come under discussion.
Speaking to the media, Sindh Food Minister Mir Nadir Magsi said that the PPP co-chairman made it clear during the meeting that nobody [in the party] should try to take a solo flight.
About changes in the Sindh cabinet, he replied that he was unaware of any such decision.
Meanwhile, President Zardari also chaired two other meetings regarding development of Sehwan and the availability of urea for the Rabi season.
PML-F leader and Sindh Auqaf Minister Dr Rafiq Banbhan told journalists that the president has directed for the establishment of a hotel and a branch of Sindh Bank in Sehwan.
