KARACHI: Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister former Justice Maqbool Baqar on Friday said that he would select a small cabinet for which he has started meetings and consultation, but the effort is to induct the cabinet at the earliest.

Talking to the media at Mazar-e-Quaid where he laid a wreath and offered Fateha, he said that he was grateful to Allah, the Almighty, who gave him an opportunity to serve the people of the province for a short time. “I am keen to play my part to contribute to the realization of the dream of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.

To a question, the caretaker chief minister said that he has started meetings to select his cabinet. “In the first phase a few names (for caretaker ministers) would be selected and then the process would be completed in the second,” he said and added he was trying to select well-reputed people for his caretaker cabinet.

Replying to a question, Justice Baqar said that rule of law, conviction, and commitment were prerequisites for the improvement of the governance and it would be achieved by following the constitution.

To a question about delaying the general election, Justice Baqar said that we should avoid being sceptical. “It is premature to develop such an argument let the process start,” he said and added it was the responsibility of the election commission to determine to hold the general election, and the caretaker government was bound to facilitate them, but he assured that he would not be a part of any unconstitutional arrangement.

To another question, the caretaker CM denied having any information about initiating the accountability process in the Centre and the provinces. “As a matter of fact, there should be the accountability of everyone, including me, you – the media, and the government servants but it must be done within the parameters of the constitution and by those institutions which have the authority,” he said.

He said that accountability should not be conducted under malafide intentions. “During the 76 years of history of the country, the accountability process has remained counterproductive and such gimmicks did not produce results,” he said.

To another question, the chief minister said that the Ranipur incident was quite painful and shameful. He added that it must be investigated and prosecuted properly.

Justice Maqbool Baqar also condemned the Jaranwala incident. He added that the incident has increased the agony of the people. “To set the church on fire is condemnable and it is an attempt to put the country’s foundation on fire,” he said.