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Is Nisar Khuhro about to replace Qaim?
By Zulfiqar Kunbhar

KARACHI: Whether over-reacting to the recent statement of Sindh Minister for Jails Manzoor Wassan regarding the possible reshuffling of Sindh cabinet or by mistake, Radio Pakistan thinks PPP leader Nisar Khuhro is functional chief minister of Sindh.
A news on Radio Pakistan’s website (Urdu version) on Sunday twice quoted “Chief Minister Sindh Nisar Khuhro” saying that monitoring of government schools is to be done by a third party.
The news further said “Sindh Chief Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro” has announced that third party mainly through NGOs and donor agencies will improve the quality of education in public sector institutions and monitor government schools.
It is not clear how much the news could have its impact on the sitting chief minister, Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who himself had recently dispelled reports of reshuffling in the Sindh cabinet, saying there is no plan to bring changes in the cabinet. Shah last week told newsmen that there were “no chances of any change in the provincial cabinet”. However, senior PPP leader Manzoor Wassan has other thoughts. Wassan confirmed that reshuffling in the Sindh cabinet is on the cards as famous faces in the cabinet may be replaced with the new faces.
Sources from Pakistan Peoples’ Party confirmed that Nisar Khuhro is in race of chief ministership, a reshuffle in Sindh Cabinet that is expected to take place in August.
According to sources finance adviser Murad Ali Shah is another potential candidate for the slot. ‘Since for Murad Ali Shah, there is no more disqualification from contesting the elections, he is another potential candidate to become chief minister Sindh,’ a senior PPP leader told Daily Times.
“Four to five sitting ministers are expected to loose their lucrative jobs because of their inactive role. A strong come back from Owais Muzaffar in Sindh cabinet is also expected,” said sources.
Mir Nadir Magsi is also expected to hold the important portfolio in the new face of Sindh cabinet, which is expected to be taking place in August. Sources also said in the coming days as speaker Agha Siraj Durrani will become the local government minister and Dr Sikandar Mandhro will take up the post of the speaker of the Sindh Assembly.
News, which appeared more than merely gossips, regarding possible reshuffling regarding the Sindh Cabinet are not new. Few weeks before media reports had hinted even Pakistan Peoples Party chairperson Bilawal Bhutto could lead the race for Sindh CM.
Reports appeared said that the decision to replace Qaim Ali Shah was being taken after reviewing his bad performance in education, health and other sectors. Following the performance, the central leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had considered few names for the slot of Sindh Chief Minister that included Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. It was also learnt that in meetings, PPP leadership also discussed the possibility of Bilawal taking part in by-elections for National Assembly for playing vigorous role in the parliament. However PPP sources deny about any such move. ‘There may have been discussions, but nothing has been finalized in this direction,’ said source.
However all eyes are towards PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari for final decision as several meetings have been held which took place in Pakistan and Dubai during the last months. On the other hand PPP and its ally in Sindh government Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have yet to resolve their differences emerged on the bifurcation of Sindh health and education departments. Relationships between Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement are like husband and wife so the anger between them is natural which can overcome through talks, said Manzoor Wassan.
Recent weeks saw cordial-turning-sour relations between the PML N’s federal government and PPP as the later thinks center is ‘interfering’ in the matters of provinces. Jumping into the fray, PPP leader Asif Zardari, gave last week surprising statement that could have brought hiccups in the PML N’s lineup, seeing a ‘monarch’ in the democracy. Behave like PM, not a monarch, Zardari warned Nawaz Sharif.
The former president said that people had elected Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister of the country and not as an absolute monarch. He also criticized Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s interference in other provinces and said that the center should not interfere in matters of provinces. Former president Zardari also put his weight behind Imran Khan’s demand for the investigation of polling in four constituencies.

 

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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