KARACHI, July 26: The recent spate of rumours about a change of chief executive in Sindh is a manifestation of the malaise besetting the coalition government in the province.
The latest rumours about the chief minister apparently originated in Islamabad when Mr Ali Muhammad Mahar and Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad went to the federal capital on the same flight on Wednesday. Although Mr Mahar on his return from Islamabad termed the rumours baseless and the work of vested interests following his refusal to indulge in the politics of plots and permits, political pundits continue to talk of a possible change.
The fact is that despite a somewhat better working relationship between the governor and the chief minister, the cabinet lacks harmony because of the coalition partners who have nothing in common except the desire to share power.
The chief minister is not only apolitical but new to dealing with the bureaucracy. Political circles suggest that Mr Mahar hesitates to take a stand even on sensitive issues like the Kalabagh Dam and the Greater Thal Canal.
When his partners in coalition with nationalist leanings try to assert themselves, he sides with them but when the powers that be bring pressure to bear on him, he retraces his step. This has provided an opportunity to aspirants for his job within the coalition to keep the chief minister engaged in non-issues. They keep on creating bad blood between him and the governor on one pretext or the other.
Even before the recent rumours which came from Islamabad, there was inspired talk about Mr Mahar’s replacement by Dr Arbab Rahim, Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh of the National Alliance or the PPP’s Manzoor Panhwar.
Kingri House figures somewhere in all this. Pir Pagara never disappoints anyone. Meetings at Kingri House by aspirants for the top slot in the province could have alarmed Mr Mahar, who called on Pir Pagara on Tuesday to re-seek his blessings and endorsement.
This meeting not only dispelled impression of an impending change in the provincial set up but also compelled the aspirants to disown reports in which they were tipped as likely choices for CM’s office.
Insiders believe that the powers that be are at the moment too preoccupied with other important issues like that of talks with the opposition and seeking a consensus on the Greater Thal Canal, and any move for a change in Sindh is on the back burner. Removing Mr Mahar at this point might make the nationalists link it with his stand on Greater Thal.