LAHORE: Syed Samsam Ali Bukhari on Wednesday took oath as provincial information minister following resignation of his predecessor Fayyazul Hassan Chohan for his anti-Hindu statement.

Though Mr Bukhari, at a hurriedly called press conference, claimed that he had been assigned both the portfolios -- information and culture -- the notification says the chief minister assigned only information department portfolio to the new minister.

Acknowledging that the opposition had the right to criticise the government, Mr Bukhari said he would respond to all criticism but “appropriate answers” should be given when it was meant for politics.

“Still my language and tone will be different,” he said, apparently distancing himself from the ‘style’ of his predecessor.

He claimed his ministry would serve as a bridge between the government and the media and added, “things going normal will continue and those abnormal discontinued.”

Answering a question about his role and that of the chief minister’s spokesman Dr Shahbaz Gill, Mr Bukhari said he would be representing the Punjab government and share all relevant information with the media.

To a question about the medical treatment of Nawaz Sharif, Mr Bukhari said the Punjab government was not a hurdle in the treatment of the former premier and was ready to take him to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), but Mr Sharif himself was refusing it. Mr Sharif was insisting that he would prefer to stay in jail, he added.

Turning down different questions, Mr Bukhari said he would be able to respond all queries, including those about the fate of different advisory bodies constituted by Mr Chohan, after taking a briefing of his ministry on Thursday (today).

Some members had started resigning from those committees soon after Mr Chohan’s resignation.

Mr Bukhari also lauded prime minister Imran Khan’s vision as well as armed forces’ role in ensuring defense of the country, when India was about to impose war on Pakistan.

Earlier in the day, Mr Bukhari took oath of his office at the Governor House, that was administered by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar.

Chief minister Usman Buzdar also attended the oath-taking ceremony and later congratulated Bukhari on assuming the charge.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2019