Apart from seeking lucrative ministries for PML-Q portfolio-less ministers, the Chaudhrys on Monday proposed Sardar Atiq Ahmed’s name for the position of Azad Jammu and Kashmir president to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain along with Senior Minister for Defence Production and Industries Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi called on Gilani to discuss post-devolution situation and its impact on their party.
“The Chaudhrys asked the prime minister to give the portfolio of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain after placing two important departments of the devolved ministry of labour and manpower, including Employees Old-age Benefit Institution (EOBI) and Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) under the Overseas Pakistanis Ministry,” a source privy to the development said.
After the devolution of the ministry of labour and manpower, two of its most lucrative departments, that is the EOBI and the WWF, had been earlier handed over to the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and then placed under the Cabinet Division.
Assurance: The source said Gilani assured the Chaudhrys that the portfolio-less PML-Q ministers would soon be allocated new portfolios. “The premier further assured the PML-Q leadership of giving the portfolio of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to Ch Wajahat, the younger brother of the PML-Q president,” the source said. The source said the PML-Q leaders proposed the name of Muslim Conference President Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan for the slot of AJK president.
“The prime minister told the Chaudhrys that Atiq’s matter will be resolved later after consultation with President Asif Ali Zardari,” the source said, adding that the Chaudhrys also advised Gilani to play his role for reconciliation between the PPP and the MQM.
The source said the Chaudhrys also recommended the name of Muslim Conference’s candidate for one reserved seat of technocrat in the AJK Legislative Assembly. The source said Elahi apprised Gilani about the success achieved so far in winning the support of the PML-Q dissident MPAs from the Unification Bloc in the Punjab Assembly.
Reconciliation: According to a press release issued by the PM’s office, Gilani said the government’s policy of reconciliation would continue and the genuine grievances of the MQM would be addressed to keep the coalition intact.
