Unelected advisers outnumber ministers

Xenophanez · June 26, 2008, 2:38am

ISLAMABAD: Unelected advisers have outnumbered the duly elected ministers in Yousuf Raza Gilani’s cabinet and the first violation of the Constitution was committed on Wednesday when the sixth adviser to the prime minister was named whereas only five were permitted.

Presently, the total number of federal ministers in the government is 15. However, the number of advisers to the prime minister or those holding some other key positions but enjoying the status of federal minister or minister of state has gone up to 16.

This is perhaps for the first time in the country’s history that such a team of unelected advisers has outgrown the size of regular ministers. Article 93 of the Constitution says that the president may, on the advice of the prime minister, appoint not more than five advisers, on such terms and conditions as he may determine.

Gilani presently has six advisers, including Maj-Gen (retd) Mehmud Ali Durrani, Adviser on National Security, Rehman Malik, Adviser on Interior, Hina Rabbani Khar, Adviser on Finance, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Adviser on Social Sectors, Manzoor Wattoo, Adviser on Industries and Special Initiatives, and the latest is Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Adviser on Religious Affairs.

Kazmi was appointed on Wednesday but was not clear if he had been given the status of a full federal minister or minister of state. All the other advisers are enjoying the status of federal minister.

Constitutional advisers to the prime ministers not only attend cabinet meetings but can also attend sittings of both the houses of parliament.** In addition to these six advisers, there are at least 10 individuals holding different public offices but enjoying the status of federal minister or minister of state.**

SOURCE

so the 89th dish will be included in the “CONSTITUTIONAL BUFFET” to facilitate this or any future appointments?

Khehkeshan · June 26, 2008, 5:57am

Re: Unelected advisers outnumber ministers

Shhhhh

Shak_killS · June 27, 2008, 4:03pm

Re: Unelected advisers outnumber ministers

if governement needs to be run by un elected advisors then why go for elections and waste that money.

Spock · June 27, 2008, 4:13pm

Re: Unelected advisers outnumber ministers

Atleast these parties were 'elected'.

Shak_killS · June 27, 2008, 4:29pm

Re: Unelected advisers outnumber ministers

so all the elected ones are not worthy of being in the government?

Xenophanez · June 28, 2008, 2:03pm

and that makes it even worse. It’s not a dictatorship or a “SELECTED” parliament. Being an “ELECTED” democracy doesn’t give immunity to unconstitutional actions.

ehtasab · June 29, 2008, 12:41am

Re: Unelected advisers outnumber ministers

Can someone file a "reference" against such actions? We are not in a "dictatorship" anymore, or are we? Has ANYONE in the media discussed it? Who is going to take action against it or is everyone just going to talk about it?

Khehkeshan · June 29, 2008, 4:16am

Media has more important items to focus on, like laaang march, judges, and mush's exit.

Aalsi · June 29, 2008, 10:25am

ehtasab bhaijan. Shhh, not so loud. The electorate that voted in the Freeest and Fairest elections in Pakistan's history in February 08 will not be happy with such talk.

ehtasab · June 29, 2008, 4:01pm

What about opposition? Is opposition quiet too?

ehtasab · June 29, 2008, 4:02pm

Trie harder, "electorate" didn't vote for parties to pick someone else to do the job, so they should actually be "happy" with such talk.