04 July 2004	Sunday	15 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, July 3: The chief minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, has said the portfolios of his cabinet ministers will be announced on Monday, and a decision in this regard has already been taken by coalition partners.

The chief minister was talking to a group of journalists after the swearing in ceremony of the new Ombudsman, Yusuf Jamal at the Governor's House on Saturday.

In reply to a question, he dispelled the impression of delay due to differences among his colleagues, and said they were holding consultation. "Everything has been settled with a few changes in portfolios of certain ministers," he added.

He said portfolios could not be assigned on the demand of anyone, as it was his prerogative. However, being a coalition government, portfolios were determined with mutual consultation, he added.

In reply to a question, Arbab said so far he had not decided when he was leaving on his four-day visit to Tharparker in connection with the forthcoming by-election on the NA-229 seat. Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz would be contesting elections from the said constituency, that had been vacated by Arbab's cousin, Arbab Zakaullah.

To a question about the possibility of Aziz returning unopposed from NA-229, Arbab said, it would be a prestigious contest, because Mr Aziz had been nominated for the office of prime minister. He added that major political parties despite losing surely could run their candidate. "In democracy, even a common man has the right to field himself for contest," he said.

In reply to another question, the chief minister said those who were accusing of rigging were those who were aware of their defeat, as this was the constituency from which the Arbab family was being elected to parliament since the 1970's. In the last by-election, held in Jan 2003, Arbab Zakaullah had returned unopposed from the same constituency after he vacated his seat, Arbab said, while supplementing his reply.

ELECTION CAMPAIGN: To a point raised by a questioner, the chief minister retorted that it would not be a sin if he campaigned for Shaukat Aziz, adds APP.

"We are politicians and have come to play politics," Dr Arbab said, adding that restrictions had not been imposed on us for taking part in politics. "We are not bureaucrats that politics is be prohibited for us."

Dr Arbab said he would request the Peoples Party that if they did not have votes in the constituency, they should not unnecessarily contest and spoil conditions in Sindh. "If they (PPPP) cannot win, then they should avoid contesting the election just for the sake of opposition."

He said that elections would be transparent, adding it was the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure that elections were conducted in a free and transparent manner.

The chief minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, has said he would bound all departments to ensure immediate implementation of decisions of the Sindh Ombudsman.

Talking to a group of newsmen after the oath administration ceremony of new Ombudsman Yusuf Jamal on Saturday at the Governor's House, the chief minister said, it was the government's responsibility to see that decisions of the ombudsman were implemented.

To a question put to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, who was present on the occasion, the governor said that Ombudsman's institution was a constitutional position. "In the past, former ombudsmen had done a good job to mitigate the problems of people, and had solved many problems of people."

He hoped the new ombudsman would too, discharge his responsibilities with the same spirit.

He said, under the constitution, all departments were bound to carry out decisions of the ombudsman.