Punjab government: PML-N, PPP finalise formula for distribution of ministries

The coalition partners in Punjab, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian, have finalised their consultations, and evolved an equation ahead of the new coalition government in the province.
Sources told Business Recorder that the PML-N had also finalised the name of its candidate for the new chief minister for the interim period till its parliamentary leader Shahbaz Sharif was elected member of the provincial assembly and became the new chief executive.
The PML-N also picked party candidates for provincial ministers, the sources said, adding that the selection of various ministries was based on their services in the absence of the Sharif brothers. The party leadership also decided to accommodate the talented independent MPAs-elect, who joined the partyfold after the polls.
"The PML-Functional, which announced unconditional support to the PML-N-led new government, may also get one ministry," the sources claimed. The new Punjab government will target governance, law and order, meritocracy, resolution of public grievances and health and education.
PPPP parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz said they too wanted to provide good governance in Punjab. "We will closely monitor the performance of our ministers for 100 days after they take oath. Those showing good performance will be retained, while those failing to meet the requirements will be replaced with the new ones," he said.
He said both the parties would work to better the public welfare. "We will face all the challenges through hard work," he added. The sources also said on Thursday that three more MPAs-elect of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q had joined the forward block in the Punjab Assembly, raising the number of its members to 11. Those joining the block are Pir Villayat Shah Kakgha (PP-220), Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad Jatt (PP-225 Chichawatni) and Malik Muhammad Langaryal (PP-226 Kasowal).
When contacted, a League-Q leader denied the existence of any block in his party, saying any party legislator-elect, who would change loyalty or violate the party discipline, would have to face disqualification.
Sources, close to League-Q parliamentary leader Hamid Nasir Chattha in the Punjab Assembly, said they would field candidates in the elections of speaker, deputy speaker and leader of the house in the Punjab Assembly. Meanwhile, the Provincial Law Department has started preparing for convening the first Provincial Assembly session. The department has not yet moved a summary to the governor.