Federal government has deferred Cabinet reshuffle until the Supreme Court judgement on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), according to sources. Party sources said the PPP leadership has decided to defer the decision to avoid further dent to the party.
They said the party was already passing through very strong media trial and any shake-up to the Cabinet would further eclipse the party image. Business Recorder had reported last week that only the unknown faces would be sent packing, if there is any reshuffle. A section of the press had started reporting that the Cabinet reshuffle was on cards in the backdrop of issuance of the NRO list by the government.
There was a general impression that the beneficiaries of the NRO would leave their offices for themselves. The main opposition party, ie the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had spearheaded the campaign by asking one close aide of Punjab Chief Minister, Saeed Mehdi to quit advisorship and contest his innocence in the court of law. However, the PPP beneficiaries denied resigning on the pretext that corruption allegations are yet to be proved.
The propaganda of change in the Cabinet formation started at the beginning of the Prime Minister's visit to the UK and Germany and there was strong feeling that the reshuffling would take pace on his return. But the things failed to materialise in accordance with the wishes of the rumourmongers and the Prime Minister made it clear that no one from the Cabinet would be asked to leave.
According to the sources, the party leadership has decided to remain aggressive on the NRO front until the Supreme Court announces final verdict. They said the way the Supreme Court has taken up the issue of the NRO, it suggests that it would conclude hearing of the cases soon. Therefore, the party leadership has decided to cross the bridge when it reaches the bridge.
Further, they said, the partly leadership is not ready to surrender to the media trial and has directed the party office-bearers to remain aggressive on this front. The PPP co-chairman has started marathon meetings with party leadership across the country to evolve some aggressive policy. Sources said Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has been tasked to lead the campaign.