Sindh ministers to be allotted portfolios on July 5

04 Jul, 2004

Sindh Chief Minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, on Saturday said that ministers in his cabinet will be allotted portfolios on Monday.
Talking to newsmen after oath-taking ceremony of Sindh Ombudsman at Governor House, the Chief Minister said that there has been no-delay in the announcement of Minister's portfolios.
"We have been carrying out consultations among ourselves so that portfolios are allocated properly," he told a questioner.
He, however, hinted that there could be changes in the allotment of portfolios.
Dr Arbab reiterated that portfolios will be given on mutual consultations and not on anyones demand.
When asked about further cabinet expansion, the Chief Minister told the questioner that he is going on a visit to Mithi for 3 to 4 days in connection with the forthcoming by-election on NA seat and in which Shaukat Aziz is a candidate. He said after filing of nomination paper on July 7, then he might give consideration to cabinet expansion.
To a question, Dr Arbab said he would not say that law and order situation is very good until he was 100 percent satisfied. He said he would strive for its further improvement.
When asked whether Shaukat Aziz will return unopposed from the Tharparkar NA Constituency, the Chief Minister pointed out that it is a big contest for the Premiership and even major political parties who must be having firm belief that they would not win from here, even they would contest only for fun.
He pointed out that in democracy, even a common man has the freedom and can contest an election.
He observed that some people do file the nomination for some other "angles" - for bargaining or for persuasion from the other side.
"We will not enter into any bargain - but for 'minnat samajat' it is certainly permissible in politics as we used to go to voters who would not have even shoes in his feet," the Chief Minister pointed out.
On pointation by a questioner, the Chief Minister retorted that it would not be a sin if he will do campaigning for Shaukat Aziz in the NA election.
He said he is a politicians and had reached the present position after contesting in the election. He said that if Prime Minister in India can contest election and carry out his election campaign, why it should be barred here.
"We are politicians and have come to play politics," Dr Arbab said adding that restrictions have not been imposed on us that we will not take part in politics.
"We are not bureaucrats that politics should be prohibited for us."
When his attention was drawn to allegations being levelled that Tharparkar elections will be rigged, the Chief Minister asked the questioner to go through the past record and see whether they (Arbabs) had even lost the elections from this constituency. He said they have always won the elections from here and therefore what is the need to indulge in rigging.
He said let opposition show whether they have ever won from this constituency. He said rigging attempt is committed only by those who loses the election.
Dr Arbab said he would request the Peoples Party that if they don't have votes in this constituency, they should not unnecessarily mar the conditions in Sindh. If they cannot win then they should avoid contesting election from here just for the sake of opposition.
He said that elections will be transparent and it is the responsibility of Election Commission to ensure that elections are conducted in a free and transparent manner.

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