KARACHI, Aug 23: Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Mr Mohammad Hussain, who held the portfolio of minister for local government, became the first casualty of the ongoing conflict between the city and the provincial governments and lost his job as a provincial minister on Saturday.

In his place, another nominee of the MQM, Mr Wasim Akhtar, who in the past had held the same portfolio, was made the local government advisor, with the status of the minister.

The change came a day before President Gen Pervez Musharraf is expected to preside over a meeting of major stake holders in the city.

An official handout issued by the Services, General Administration and Coordination department said that “with the approval of competent authority, appointment of Mr Mohammad Hussain Khan as provincial minister for Local government, Katchi Abadies and Special development, Sindh, vide notification dated 03-01-2003 has been withdrawn.”

“In his place Mr Wasim Akhtar has been appointed advisor for the same ministries, with immediate effect,” the statement said.

“It is the party’s decision in the light of which Mr Mohammad Hussain’s appointment as minister for Local government has been denotified and Mr Wasim Akhtar, former MPA and minister has been appointed advisor to the Chief Minister with the status of a minister,” said Mr Sallahuddin Haider, provincial government’s advisor on information.

Technically Mr Hussain’s appointment could not have been denotified unless he had tendered resignation.

It is understood that the party had produced resignation generally obtained at the time of appointment as minister, to meet such contingency.

Mr Hussain’s exit came amid mounting rift between the city government and his ministry. The City Nazim had accused the local government ministry of obstructing development work in the metropolis. The row between the city government and Mr Mohammad Hussain’s ministry had been noted by Gen Pervez Musharraf who had expressed his serious concerns and had asked the ministry to play the role of a facilitator.