Reshuffle in Sindh Cabinet on the cards

KARACHI - President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and other PPP office bearers in Islamabad to discuss and chalk out strategy for the forthcoming local bodies elections and to improve the sagging image of the party in Sindh. Syed Qaim Ali Shah will brief the President, also co-chairman of the party, about the prevailing situation in Sindh and other related matters. Sources said that provincial ministers of Sindh would also meet the President today (Tuesday) in Islamabad. Matters related to the ongoing talks between PPP and MQM are also expected to come under discussion. The posts of PPP secretary-general and information secretary in Sindh are lying vacant after the resignation of Nafees Siddiqui and the elevation of Dr Fehmida Mirza to the post of Speaker National Assembly respectively. Sources further said that reshuffle in the Sindh Cabinet was another topic that would be discussed on this occasion while provincial ministers were likely loose their present portfolios. The name of Sindh Minister for Zakat, Ushr and Religious Affairs Sajid Jokhio stood among the top, who may loose his ministry keeping in view the growing complaints about his non-availability to the party workers, the sources confided. They added that changes in the Local Bodies and Education and Transport Departments were also on the card. It may be mentioned here that Syed Qaim Ali Shah had already changed the portfolios of two ministers. The portfolio of Revenue Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo had been allotted to Jam Mahtab Daher, who was previously working as Minister of Population and Welfare and this ministry was given to Syed Ali Mardan Shah, formerly the minister for Low-Cost Housing and Human Resources. Dharejo is still without a portfolio while that Ali Mardan Shah has not been allotted to any other minister so far. Dharejo had been shown the door after a local TV Channel ran detailed story about the growing complaints against him.

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