KARACHI: The withdrawal of local government portfolio from Syed Nasir Hussain Shah only 30 hours before the local government elections scheduled in 14 districts of three divisions has sparked speculations in political circles, keenly watching the election scenario of Sukkur, where sons of two stalwarts of the Pakistan Peoples Party are contesting.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah is keen to launch his son Syed Farrukh Shah and Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah wants to induct his son Syed Komail Shah in the spot of district council chairman.

Although the notification issued on Tuesday night did not mention any reason for taking away the portfolio of the local government from the minister with immediate effect, its breaking news at 2am was enough to attract political analysts’ attention. All daylong rumours did the rounds that Syed Nasir Hussain Shah had replaced all officials posted on the recommendation of Manzoor Kaka with those who were close to him to get his son elected.

These rumours had some weight as on Tuesday Khurshid Shah had a one-on-one meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. Later, according to a report, the issue of differences between the two leaders were brought to the knowledge of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, who put his weight behind Khurshid Shah and approved the withdrawal of the portfolio from Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.

When information minister Nisar Ahmad Khuhro was asked about the reasons for the sudden withdrawal of the portfolio from Nasir Hussain Shah, he said the party leadership and the government had the power to change the portfolio or remove any minister anytime without mentioning any reason for it.

He said the reason for the withdrawal of the portfolio was not his differences with Syed Khurshid Shah as when Nasir Hussain Shah was being administered the oath of the minister Khurshid Shah was also present at the oath-taking ceremony.

Mr Khuhro stated this at a local hotel while talking to the media after attending a function. When his attention was drawn to the fact that Sindh Assembly speaker Agha Siraj Durrani had allowed the MQM lawmakers to withdraw their resignations by approving their request submitted 15 days ago, Mr Khurho, who is also leader of the PPP Parliamentary Party in the Sindh Assembly, said their return to the assembly augured well for democracy as now they would be able to contribute to the legislation business in a better way.

When asked about the possibility of the MQM joining the PPP government, the minister said the PPP did not believe in a ‘solo flight’. However, it depended on the MQM whether it liked to become a coalition partner of the PPP government.

He said in the past five-year term all parties had been allies of the PPP as the joint wisdom helped in resolving issues confronted by the people and improve the situation and now the atmosphere had changed, paving the way to work jointly for the betterment of Sindh.

Mr Khuhro said that because of consensus among all parties on the operation launched against criminals and terrorists, the law and order situation had improved in Sindh and kidnapping for ransom and targeted killings had been eliminated.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2015