August 11, 2008	Monday	Sha’aban 8, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 10: Sindh Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Makhdoom Jamil-uz-Zaman is reported to have resigned from the provincial cabinet.

According to Makhdoom House sources, Makhdoom Jamil, son of PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, has sent his resignation from Dubai. He had gone abroad a few days ago on a 15-day private visit. In the resignation letter, he has cited personal reasons, without mentioning any policy differences.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah informed journalists at his press conference on Friday that Makhdoom Jamil had sought 15 days’ leave. It was granted because at that time the party leadership had not taken the decision to impeach President Pervez Musharraf.

“He is our cabinet member and if we come in contact with him we will ask him to rush back home and participate in Tuesday’s assembly proceedings when a resolution will be moved to call upon the president to take a vote of confidence in accordance with a commitment made to the Supreme Court on his behalf by the attorney general that President Musharraf would seek a vote of confidence from the newly elected assemblies,” Mr Shah said.

Talking to a group of journalists, Makhdoom Amin Fahim said it was Makhdoom Jamil’s own decision, like his earlier decision of joining the cabinet. He said that he also was going to Dubai.

Regarding his meeting with PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah, he said he had made it clear to him that keeping in view the crisis the country was facing, it was more important to save the sinking ship of Pakistan than impeaching the president.

“Once Pakistan is steered out of the crisis, the president could be impeached 10 times,” he added.

According to sources, Mr Fahim would proceed to London from Dubai because he did not wish to be in Pakistan during the impeachment proceedings to avoid being blamed if the coalition’s move failed.