PUNJAB has just sworn in two ministers. One of them is a well-known expert in her area and is holding the crucial finance portfolio.

But if this is deserving of a laudatory comment, the task has to be put off for the moment in favour of another urgent, very remarkable event. No one can be expected to forget Rana Sanaullah Khan.

The redoubtable, no-nonsense politician, who for long maintained a profile second only to Mian Shahbaz Sharif, has been redrafted to the provincial cabinet after the seemingly very long gap of one year.

Not only that, he has been given the same ministry — law — that was taken away from him in the aftermath of last June’s very disturbing police firing incident in Model Town. The firing, which has since been blamed on police and the police alone, had led to the death of 14 Pakistan Awami Tehreek loyalists.

The incident resulted in demands of action against many government figures including the prime minister, chief minister Punjab and some of their closest associates.

Finally, Rana Sanaullah decided to resign, only to be resurrected with full glory at a time when PAT is preparing to mark the first anniversary of the Model Town incident.

Read: Shahbaz sacks Rana Sanaullah over Lahore tragedy

Mr Sanaullah was forced to quit his post after the PAT protest became more vociferous with time.

His return has prima facie been made possible by a joint investigation team report that absolves him and the other accused — bar one police officer.

PAT and some others have protested the restoration, which seemed to have had little effect on his selectors. PAT leaders have also been saying that Rana Sanaullah has hardly spent the past year without the title of ‘law minister in wilderness’.

Also read: Model Town JIT gives clean chit to Shahbaz, Sanaullah

According to them — and some others — he has been away from authority only in appearance and was pulling the strings behind the scenes all this while. Maybe it is a development that suits both the government and the PAT camp. His return may provide the protest the impetus it requires.

Take a look: Qadri to come back next month

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2015

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