KARACHI: Reshuffles in cabinet a routine matter: CM
KARACHI, Feb 23: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has hinted at some change in the provincial cabinet, saying: “there is always a room for changes in the cabinet.”
Dr Arbab said he personally was not in the favour of a reshuffle, but a change in cabinet was a routine matter. In this context, he pointed out that MQM also used to change portfolios of its ministers.
The chief minister was talking to newsman after chairing a meeting of the PML parliamentary party here at Chief Minister’s House on Thursday.
In reply to a question, he said that no decision had been taken so far about withdrawal of candidates for the Senate polls. However, he added, negotiation were under way with the MQM in this connection.
He said that the Pakistan Muslim League wanted representation in Senate on the basis of strength in the provincial assembly. A meeting with the governor would be held in this regard shortly, he added.
About the issue of publication of blasphemous caricatures by some European newspapers, he said that both federal and provincial governments had voiced their condemnation, and pointed out that President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had also recorded their concern over the blasphemy.
He accused the opposition for turning the protests into an anti-government drive. He said there was no restriction on peaceful protest, but causing harm to public and private property in such protests was a crime. He said that strikes also create problems for people.
The chief minister suggested that one particular place should be designated for holding demos so that common man could be saved from unnecessary hassle.
Earlier, the chief minister chaired a meeting of the coalition’s parliamentary parties which discussed various parliamentary matters, including the Sindh Assembly session beginning on Friday.
The meeting adopted a resolution which condemned the publication of blasphemous caricatures by certain European newspapers, and said that no insolence against Namoos-i-Risalat would be tolerated.
It also expressed grief and sorrow over the desecration of the holy Quran and burning of churches in Sukkur.—PPI/APP
