JUI-F, Sherpao demand cut in cabinet

By Dilshad Azeem

ISLAMABAD: In another somersault, shortly after a meeting between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and President Zardari, the JUI-F Secretary General demanded a drastic cut in the size of the federal cabinet with only 20 ministers.

"Huge expenditure presently occurring on a battalion of ministers must be saved and diverted to flood relief," the JUI-F Secretary General Maulana Abdul Gahfoor Haideri told The News here Sunday.

To a question, he brushed aside the impression that the JUI-F was sticking to the ministries. "Neither have we lust for power to maintain the status quo nor do we have any objection to slashing the cabinet strength even if our ministers are deprived of their offices."

"Countries like Pakistan can ill-afford a cabinet of more than 20 ministers," Haideri said, adding: "It will be ideal if the cabinet is of only 15 members under the existing circumstances."

He said his party would not insist on ministries more than what its share is under the formula of existing parliamentary parties' strength of the coalition partners. "We will cooperate with the premier who must take an initiative by reducing the number of his PPP ministers to set a precedent for others."

Haideri regretted that present 80-member cabinet was a burden on the national kitty. "Yes, you are at right that 18th amendment does not restrict the government for a limited cabinet size in its current term but it is time to go for drastic measures to save every penny for the flood-hit population through austerity measures."

In another development, PPP-S President Aftab Sherpao has demanded that PM Gilani must give a goodwill message to allies as well as masses by substantially trimming down his cabinet strength. "The cabinet has to be slashed today or tomorrow under the 18th amendment and it will be better if time is not wasted."

He maintained when Zardari and Gilani took credit of the 18th amendment, they must also set matching examples in other areas such as minimizing the cabinet to utilize the saved money for flood affected people. "Gilani can at least reduce number of his advisors and assistants besides his own party ministers."