KARACHI: The cabinet of caretaker Chief Minister Fazal-ur-Rahman is unlikely to be named soon as those who were likely to be selected have become controversial owing to their affiliation with political figures in one way or another.

This emerged on Tuesday when a delegation of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), led by Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah, called on the caretaker chief minister at the CM House.

The delegation consisted of ex-chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Irfanullah Marwat, Sardar Rahim and Naeem-ur-Rehman.

The visitors expressed reservations over the names which were being discussed for caretaker ministers.

They also conveyed their concerns over Ejaz Ahmed Khan, the principal secretary to the chief minister, who is reportedly facing NAB cases, and said his presence could damage the credibility of the CM office.

The chief minister assured the delegation that his cabinet would comprise impartial people.

“We just want to hold fair and free elections. We also want to facilitate you so that you can contest elections with no interference by anyone,” he told the visitors.

Explaining further, Mr Rahman said he was going to set up a complaint cell at the CM House where all kinds of complaints, particularly in connection with the election, would be received and addressed accordingly.

After the meeting, Muzaffar Hussain Shah told the media that the very basic concept of the caretaker government would be killed if those close to political personalities became caretaker heads of ministries.

“Caretaker governments come to power to hold elections without any bias and in the presence of such personalities, it is not possible,” he said.

Mr Shah added that the CM assured him that he would hold the elections without any political leaning.

In response to a question, Sardar Rahim said the delegation also drew the attention of the CM towards violation of the 1991 water accord which was the main cause of sufferings of the people.

He said it was agreed that all the provinces would share shortage of water if there was any, but in the present scenario Sindh was made to suffer.

“Mr Rahman told us that the situation in the Sindh rivers will improve once snow starts melting in Skardu,” he added.

Mr Rahim further said they apprised the CM that there would be unrest among the people if power loadshedding was not curtailed.

The GDA handed a note to the chief minister which said they reserved the right to protest and seek remedy at all forums, including election commission, high court and supreme court, for fair elections.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2018