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LAHORE, Dec 17: Formation of the Punjab cabinet has been delayed for a few days because of the intra-PML-Q differences.
Now, sources say, the first batch of the cabinet is expected to be sworn in on Dec 22.
Initially, the cabinet was to be inducted on Dec 9, but it was delayed as Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi decided to take all districts into confidence before unveiling his team.
Party sources say since most of the ruling party members are new faces, the chief minister had to spend a considerable time on examining the suitability of those who may be given the responsibility.
The exercise was still in progress when a meeting of the general council was called for Dec 20 to pass a no-trust motion against Mian Azhar and elect a new party president and secretary-general.
The chief minister is scheduled to stay in Islamabad on Dec 19, 20 and 21 due to some personal engagements and the general council meeting. This means that the swearing-in of the first batch will be possible only on his return to the provincial capital.
The sources say the P-5 is less likely to be given representation in the first batch.
So far, the chief minister is himself taking decisions of various provincial government departments in the absence of his cabinet. He also takes briefings from the departments so as to understand their working.
The major decisions so far taken by the chief minister include changes in the Police Rules of Business 2002 which are in the offing, reduction in the agricultural loans markup and announcement of Rs10 million each as development funds for the MPAs.
In the Civil Secretariat, the official machinery, too, is waiting for the formation of the new cabinet besides seeking new postings.
A majority officers are performing routine duties and are expecting a change in the local government system and the new police law as their major assignment in the near future.
The frequent visitors are the elected MNAs and MPAs making acquaintances in the bureaucracy and getting resolved problems of their constituencies.
APP ADDS: Pervaiz Elahi told newsmen in Islamabad on Tuesday that his cabinet would be in place by December-end.
“The cabinet will be inducted in three phases and the first phase will be completed before January,” he said at a reception hosted by UAE ambassador Ali Muhammad Al-Shamsi to celebrate 31st UAE National Day.
To a question, the chief minister said that he had no problem in the cabinet formation.
“We will accommodate all our coalition partners in the cabinet,” Elahi said, adding, “but we will give priority to our party.”
