PPP, PML-N lock horns over Punjab ministries

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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All other parties have made amicable agreements with the PPP in the other three provinces. But in the Punjab PML N doesn’t quite want to share equitably with them. Nawaz Sharif’s people just don’t want to share with anyone.

PPP, PML-N lock horns over Punjab ministries

Monday, April 28, 2008

By Faizan Bangash

LAHORE: The Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have locked horns over two important provincial ministries, The News has learnt. Sources said that differences had begun to appear between the PPP and PML-N over health and communication and works ministries. Sources in the PPP revealed that under the formula set between PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif, the PPP was to receive its share in the cabinet in the form of health, communication and works, irrigation, labour and manpower, population welfare and revenue ministries.
Differences over the issue cropped up a day before oath-taking when the PML-N did not agree to give two important ministries to the PPP. The PPP ministers also decided to boycott the oath-taking ceremony but took oath on the instructions of the party co-chairman.

After the oath-taking on April 22, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Dost Mohammed Khosa said in a press conference that decisions about some ministries would be taken later. PPP ministers Farooq Yousaf Ghurki and Dr Tanveer ul Islam, who were expected to get the health and CW ministries, were not given these portfolios. Though the matter is being discussed between Zardari and Shahbaz, the issue has begun to create differences between the two coalition partners.

Sources have also revealed that PML-N President Mian Shahbaz Sharif wanted important ministries such as health, education, communication and works for his party. The PPP camp is seriously concerned over the change of tone by the PML-N leadership over the distribution of ministries. The PPP camp considers the move a deviation from the formula set between the two parties. Most of the party MPAs are not happy for not assuming complete power in the province for another time.

This is noteworthy that since 1977, the PPP has not been able to get the chief ministerís slot in the Punjab even though it gained significant number of seats in 1988, 1993 and 2008 general elections. The party workers in the Punjab also possess similar feelings and majority of them are not even willing to share power with the PML-N.

A senior PPP leader from the Punjab, expressing his concern over the issue, said that this difference between the two parties on the issue could cause rifts in the coalition. He said that the PPP had respected the mandate of the PML-N in the National Assembly and it should also abide by its promises in the Punjab. The PPP leader also said that issue would be raised before Asif Zardari on his return from Dubai.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=109410

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Re: PPP, PML-N lock horns over Punjab ministries

Punjab coalition blues

CRACKS have appeared in the PPP-PML-N coalition in the Punjab within a week of the swearing-in of the new cabinet. The PPP complains that two of its nominees in the cabinet remain without portfolios in violation of the earlier agreement that they would also be allotted the two key ministries of Communication and Works (C&W), and Health. It is intriguing that while the cabinet wing of the S&GAD has notified all other portfolios these two still remain unallotted. As if this was not enough, Senior Minister Raja Riaz has complained that while the PPP had given a free hand to its senior partner to run the provincial government and make administrative adjustments, its MPAs continue to face problems from the bureaucracy. He has said that the officers not listening to the genuine problems of the party’s legislators would have to go. There are reports indicating that the Chief Secretary has been summoned to Dubai, where the top leadership of the ruling coalition is currently engaged in crucial talks, to give explanations in this regard.

One expects government servants to be responsive to the people’s genuine problems instead of remaining indifferent to them. It is equally important, however, that they do not give in to unfair demands by the MPAs. Succumbing to pressures from the local elite can in cases lead to grave injustices to the common man. Good governance demands that the bureaucracy is allowed to take decisions strictly in accordance with the law, and administrative rules and regulations. Further that no attempts are made by the ruling party or coalition to turn it into its handmaiden. It is unclear under the circumstances what Raja Riaz mean when he says that uncooperative officials would be transferred.

A perception is likely to be formed that the PPP considers the appointments to be politically motivated and aimed at strengthening the PML-N at the expense of the PPP. One hopes there is no motive of the sort behind the recent large-scale appointments and transfers. The PML-N) and PPP, being two different political entities and archrivals in the past, it is by no means unnatural on the part of each one to expand its sphere of influence. But this should be done by better performance by their respective ministers and dedicated public service by their MPAs. What needs to be eschewed is seeking undue advantages from government servants, using them to reward favourites and penalize opponents, and when they refuse to act as pliable instruments, ordering their transfer and getting blue-eyed boys appointed in their place. Actions of the sort, frequently resorted to in the past, politicised the bureaucracy and promoted bad governance. This practice of appointing officers on the basis of loyalty to the ruling leadership, rather than their professional competence, must end.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/may-2008/1/editorials1.php