Although the 25-strong Cabinet formed by new Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier this week seems quite capable of grappling with the ticklish problems Pakistan is facing, its composition has begun to raise eyebrows in certain sections of the society.
Whether the criticism is based on suspicion or petty jealousies is difficult to define, but the Pakistan Muslim League-N chief, in office for the third time, seems confident of delivering and may in all probability ignore adverse comments.
Apparently in a bid to appease all, Nawaz Sharif has grouped together even the minor factions of Parliament like Murtaza Jatoi of the National People’s Party, Pir Sadruddin Shah of Pir Pagara’s functional league, and the son of former interior minister, under Pervez Musharaf’s rule, Aftab Sherpao.
Nawaz Sharif has chosen to give the important portfolio of industry to Murtaza Jatoi, younger brother of the former caretaker prime minister, the late Mustafa Jatoi, who was originally a supporter of the PPP, but after Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s hanging in 1979, he had tried to join hands with Gen. Zia-ul-Haq. He was even offered to become prime minister in return for abandoning Benazir Bhutto.
But Pir Sadruddin Shah, the younger brother of Pir Pagara, has not enjoyed the same favors. He has been given an insignificant portfolio of the Food and Security Ministry. Aftab Sherpao’s son has not been treated so well either.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also has a bone to pick with the PML. Despite declaring unconditional support for Nawaz Sharif, it was ignored completely. Whether they had hoped to be included in the government, was never made clear but Altaf Hussain vented his disappointment saying that “mohajirs,” the term generally used for the migrants from India coming in the wake of the great divide of 1947, were completely overlooked, a sentiment which may evoke resentment among his followers. He stated that urban Sindh, which is the MQM’s stronghold and which garners the most votes, had been completely ignored adding that this is a serious warning.
Sharif has even tried to mend fences with a habitual dissenter like the JUI chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, but has kept a discreet silence over Altaf Hussain’s remarks giving no indication of a meeting or rapprochement with the leader living in self-exile in the UK since 1991, and who has now acquired British citizenship.
But Sharif can’t be blamed entirely. His party is in no position to assert itself in the southern province of the country, where Zardari’s People’s Party is sitting tight with a comfortable majority at the provincial level.
His Cabinet has two ministers from Sindh, both from rural areas and a couple from the other two smaller provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa.
Most analysts agree that Sharif has tried to accommodate representatives from different parts of the country to give his party a comprehensive geographical composition. However, the configuration of his party, won by an overwhelming majority from the largest province, Punjab was seriously handicapped by picking players from other regions.
Within the ruling elite, there are murmurs about the PML-N giving extraordinary importance to Gujranwala, a district 40 miles from Lahore while other less developed regions in the Cabinet have taken a back seat.
In the Cabinet, certain portfolios like the Interior Ministry, the power sector, petroleum and above all railways have gone to his trusted lieutenants like Chaudhry Nisar, Khawaja Asif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and Saad Rafiq. They are all old loyalists and should form a good team. Those close to them, admit unhesitatingly that they all seem determined to work hard so that promises made to the electorate in elections, are honored within the minimum time limit. That said, each of these ministries have problems that may be termed insurmountable. Maintaining law and order with the ongoing killings in Karachi and Balochistan; the railways, like the national carrier, PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) in limbo and the energy sector suffering from a huge debt deficit, all demand courage and unwavering conviction to find solutions.
Sharif has kept the foreign affairs and defense portfolios under his personal supervision. With efficient and experienced advisers like Tariq Fatimi, an illustrious diplomat, and veteran campaigner Sartaj Aziz, who has handled sensitive subjects in the past like finance and foreign affairs Sharif has chosen wisely. They will both be working closely with the prime minister and since both enjoy his complete confidence, they should have little difficulty in overcoming hurdles in their respective fields.
According to analysts, Ishaq Dar is the best choice so far, to deal with the key problem of finance, which is in dire straits being heavily burdened with local and foreign loans. Indeed, Dar may lose a lot of sleep over the delicate portfolio given to him.
