KARACHI: Succumbing to what many believed an ‘outside pressure’, caretaker Sindh Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar has withdrawn key portfolios of finance and planning and development from an upright former bureaucrat, Muhammad Younus Dagha.

The CM allocated Mr Dagha a new portfolio of industries and commerce in addition to revenue.

Official source said that the CM would himself hold the portfolios of finance and planning & development departments.

Informed sources told Dawn that the recent transfers and postings of a large number of accountants and officers of the treasury by Mr Dagha as finance minister led to the re-allocation of his portfolios.

There was no finance or planning minister during the tenure of the then government of the Pakistan Peoples Party as former chief minister Murad Ali Shah himself kept the two important portfolios with him.

The sources added that the chief minister took the decision of re-allocation of portfolios after he was reportedly communicated that the ‘massive’ transfers and posting in the finance department had sent a wave of resentment among quarters concerned.

They recalled that the caretaker chief minister had approved the name of Agha Wasif for the post of provincial finance secretary and sent the proposal to the Election Commission of Pakistan, but they posted Kazim Jatoi in his place.

The sources added that the chief minister was considering re-allocation of some other portfolios as well in view of performance of provincial ministers.

Repeated attempt were made to reach Mr Dahga through calls and messages, but no reply was received from him.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2023