KARACHI: Long estranged political rivals Muttahida Qaumi Movement of Altaf Hussain and ruling Pakistan People’s Party of Bilawal Bhutto have inched closer to announcing a formation of a coalition government in Sindh as five ministries are likely to be handed over to the former, party sources here say.
The leaders of the two parties are also expected to meet at Governor House next week, where the portfolios would be finalised. The names of the potential ministers have been sent to MQM chief Hussain for approval. According to sources, the ministries of health, information technology, Auqaf, industries and commerce are likely to be offered to the MQM. All these departments were led by MQM ministers in the last coalition government.
Meanwhile, out of the important ministries local bodies, finance, planning and development, and home department - one will be given to the MQM. If all goes well and the new coalition is formed in the province, two advisers will also be appointed from the MQM.
However, after the 18th Amendment, the Sindh cabinet can only have 15 ministers and five advisers on board. Currently, there are 16 ministers and two advisers serving as part of the provincial government. In case a coalition government is formed and five ministries are awarded to the MQM, the PPP will have to remove six of its own ministers from their posts. Parliamentary affairs minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro said the provincial cabinet strength stands at 11 percent of total number of the provincial assembly members after the 18th Amendment.
This means the government can only appoint 15 to 16 ministers and five advisers. When his attention was diverted towards 16 ministers working in Sindh and five other portfolios reportedly promised to the MQM, he said, “I have no idea whether or not the provincial government would take back a few ministries from its own members, but we are working to merge the departments so that the cabinet size is limited”.
Internews
