The opposition on Monday criticising the Cabinet expansion said the country was facing severe financial crisis, and there was no need to induct more ministers into the Cabinet. The PPP-led coalition government inducted 40 new Cabinet members which invited widespread criticism from the civil society and the opposition termed the move nothing more than a "political bribe' in the present situation.
Deputy Amir of Jamat-e-Islami, Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed termed the Cabinet expansion as an extra financial burden on the exchequer and a way of political bribe. On one hand, the PPP government is begging for money from the world for its survival and on the other inducting new ministers in bulk, he added.
There would be staff members in hundreds with these ministers what to talk of vehicles, security, perks and privileges and fuel expenses, etc. He said that the opposition would raise the issue in the Parliament as the government was already asked by the political parties to cut the non-development expenditure, but it is acting against the people's will. "All the old cronies of PPP, who fled after corruption cases, are being brought back," he said.
"What is the need of Cabinet members when superpowers like America has no more than 10 cabinet members," he questioned. He said that the PPP government not only eroded its reputation within seven months but also frustrated the masses by following the unpopular policies. PML-N spokesman Siddiqul Farooq said that the expansion is undesirable under the present situation, saying that the ideal Cabinet should be in between 25 to 30 members, keeping in view the present circumstances.
He said that the impression of the PPP government among the masses is not good due to its decisions against its commitment made before coming to power. The country, he said, is being run under the law of 'necessity' since November 3, 2007, adding it is the continuation and endorsement of the previous regime's policies against which the masses had given mandate to the present government on February 18.
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