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PM rules out major change in Sindh

* PM’s inspection commission will investigate Imtiaz Sheikh’s removal

By Shahzad Raza

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday ruled out any major political change in Sindh against the backdrop of the removal of Imtiaz Sheikh, the provincial revenue minister, on the charges of corruption, land grabbing and unfair postings and transfers.

“I don’t think any major political change will occur in Sindh,” he said while talking to journalists at the Prime Minister’s House.

Earlier, it was decided at a meeting that Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission would investigate Mr Sheikh’s removal.

The decisions was made by Mr Aziz in a meeting with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) president, and Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the PML secretary general.

“I have assigned Major General Farooq Ahmed (chairman of the inspection commission) to investigate the matter and report back to me,” the prime minister told reporters. The commission will look into the affairs of Sindh revenue department. Sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times the general was asked to present a report in 30 days. The removal of the provincial minister by Sindh Chief Minster Arbab Ghulam Rahim caused ripples of a political crisis in Sindh for the ruling PML.

The meeting decided that Mr Sheikh would continue to work as secretary general of Sindh PML. The party central leadership suspended a resolution adopted by several leaders of Sindh PML at the behest of the Sindh chief minister endeavouring to expel Mr Sheikh from party office as well. Sources said the meeting directed both the chief minister and the sacked provincial minister not to make controversial statements against each other. It asked both sides to wait for the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission’s report.

Asked whether the corruption allegations against the Sindh chief minister would also be investigated by the commission, he made a guarded reply saying the commission would talk to all the stakeholders and provide him a comprehensive report. He stated he had talked to the chief minister and Governor Ishratul Ibad and discussed the latest provincial situation.

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