KARACHI, July 3: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro said on Wednesday more ministers will be inducted into the provincial cabinet shortly.
“Expansion of the cabinet was needed because of the workload on the existing mini-cabinet, besides resignation of two ministers on health grounds,” he said while talking to newsmen after oath-taking ceremony of five new ministers at the Governor‘s House.
The governor said the minister for irrigation and power, Syed Ali Mir Shah, and education minister Prof Anita Ghulam Ali had resigned on health grounds.
In response to a question he said people to be inducted into the cabinet in the second phase would also be from political parties and groups.
When asked if the ministers belonging to political parties and groups would be allowed to contest elections holding offices at the same time, he said: “We will examine the law and any step in this respect will be taken only after that.”
He ruled out any possibility of postponement of the October general elections and categorically stated that expansion of the cabinet should not be construed in that sense.
To a question about his leaving the office of the governor and contesting elections, Mr Soomro said he would make some interesting disclosures in due course of time.
When asked about tendering resignations by certain provincial secretaries as a protest on posting of K.B. Rind as chief secretary of Sindh, who is said to be junior to them, the governor said he was not aware of that.
On law and order situation, he said it was under control of the government. He termed the arrest of Ajmal alias Akram Lahori a big achievement and hoped that the law-enforcement agencies would maintain the momentum of their success. Mr Soomro said the government wanted further improvement in law and order situation.
To another question that no Urdu-speaking minister was included in the five new ministers, Mr Soomro pointed out that a balance had to be maintained. He said there would be further expansion and reshuffling of the cabinet.
When asked as to what prompted to take in more ministers, the governor explained that it was due for quite some time. Moreover, since the election period was approaching, the government wanted to increase public contact.—PPI/APP
