ISLAMABAD, Feb 4 (APP): Central Executive Committee (CEC) of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Friday approved to dissolve the Federal Cabinet and authorised the Prime Minister to form the new cabinet in keeping with the 18th Amendment.Addressing a press conference, PPP Secretary General Jahangir Badar said the CEC meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of PPP Co-chairman President Asif Ali Zardari, has approved reshuffle in the Cabinet. Badar said all the ministers have voluntarily tendered their resignations.He said PPP is like an institution and all decisions are made through mutual consensus.
Senior Vice Chairman of Party Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, he said, had been authorized by the Central Executive Committee to form new Cabinet comprising less number of ministers after consulting with the coalition parties.The Ministers attending the meeting of the Committee voluntarily tendered their resignations to Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Makhdoom Amin Fahim was the first to step down as minister followed by others.
Jehangir Badar said MQM will be offered portfolios in next cabinet to be announced while keeping in view the next general elections.The present cabinet will continue functioning until the Prime Minister decides to dissolve it, he added.He said PPP would continue its reconciliatory policies to strengthen democracy. The Committee discussed overall political situation in the country and agreed to control inflation.
It was decided to write letters in this regard to the chief ministers and secretaries of four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, besides letters to administrations at district and tahsil level.He said Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will preside over the next CEC meeting. He said on the occasion he would get the final briefing on the assassination of martyred leader Benazir Bhutto.To a question regarding lifting ban on student unions, he said a committee had already been constituted in this respect and it will be consulted before any decision.
The meeting endorsed the initiatives taken by the Prime Minister after consultating other political parties to curb terrorist activities and control price-hike.CEC suggested to resolve all the problems in consultation with the political parties. Jehangir Badar was flanked by PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab during the press conference.
Jehangir Badar said PPP being the country’s biggest political party will complete its tenure. It will continue interacting with the people as it is through their support that it came into power.
Jehangir Badar contradicted the speculations about the marriage of President Asif Ali Zardari and said he has already been wedded with the Mission of Shaheed BB.He said changes in Cabinet were also made in the tenure of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Changes are being made in the present federal cabinet keeping in view to further improve performance of the ministers – APP
