December 9, 2002	Monday	Shawwal 4,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 8: The government is considering a proposal for creating over 100 federal cabinet and cabinet-level slots ostensibly to clamp down what seems to be a simmering rebellion among the PML-Q MNAs who feel that they have been shortchanged to accommodate other alliance members and turncoats.

The president is said to have already made room for the formation of such a large cabinet by spreading the federal government over 32 divisions.

The magnanimity shown by the PML-Q leadership in accommodating as many members of its coalition partners as possible in the first phase of cabinet formation, has been causing serious heart-burning among those returned on PML-Q tickets.

Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali has been receiving disturbing signals from within the party since the day he took the oath of the prime minister and nominated a 21-member federal cabinet including four advisers, with the lion’s share going to members of PPP forward bloc.

A source privy to the damage-control strategy disclosed that under the proposal each federal government division will have one federal minister, one minister of state and one parliamentary secretary plus as many as 10 advisers expanding the strength of the government to 106 members.

The government is also considering making the PML-Q MNAs heads of various autonomous organizations.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Saleem Saifullah Khan as the secretary-general of the party is said to have caused a lot of resentment in the camp led by party president Mian Azhar.

Though Saleem Saifullah Khan has been given the charge on temporary basis, Mian Azhar has questioned the authority of the premier to make the appointment.