ISLAMABAD: With the appointment of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as deputy prime minister (DPM) of the country, the federal government and particularly the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would have to face new serious controversies as both the ‘Pervaiz’ are from the Punjab, and they belong to adjacent districts. The action could be challenged in the court of law. The aspirants of the top executive office sitting in the federal cabinet after exit of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani were hopeful of some special treatment, but they have to content with their old portfolios and on the other parties based in smaller units were expecting any privileged post if any for their nominee since the concept of the deputy prime minister if has any credence should be used for the appeasement of smaller province. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement that has 25 solid members in the National Assembly besides its strength in the Senate and Awami National Party (ANP) of Asfandyar Wali Khan based in the KP and Balochistan with thirteen members of the National Assembly had genuine urge for having such coveted slot for their nominee.
The ANP stalwart Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, whose clan has been continuously ignored in his province, was a choice for the office on behalf of the KP. The political sources told The News that Chaudhry brothers have used their clout in the best possible manner in the wake of the ouster of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. The Chaudhrys were not comfortable with Gilani, but he managed them skilfully. The Chaudhrys first vetoed the initial choices of the bigger partner the PPP when it tried to bring Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar as prime minister. Later, Qamar Zaman Kaira was also knocked down by the same trick. The denial of taking oath by Chaudhry’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) on Friday last was also part of the trick, the sources said. The sources pointed out that the 50 words announcement pertaining to the appointment of Ch Pervaiz Ellahi as deputy prime minister announcement has more negative connotation than any positive impression.
It has been stated that the deputy prime minister will have no exclusive authority whatsoever. Instead, the requirement was to explain the domain of the deputy prime minister and his appointment must be welcomed by the ruling party and the Prime Minister but the impression is other-way round. Political observers are of the view that if the prime minister had any authority to designate such an office holder, he would have used it for first bringing a leader from Balochistan where the conciliation is badly needed. Instead placing restrains on the appointed deputy prime minister, the honourable prime minister should have demarcated some lines for the authority of new office holder that could have attached grace with the new office; otherwise, it would be just like a 13 days prime minister of December 971 war with ZA Bhutto as deputy prime minister when Nurul Amin of then East Pakistan was designated for the cosmetic purposes. The announcement of the Prime Minister’s House did not give specific constitutional article under which the deputy prime minister has been appointed, or no relevant rules of business has been cited under which the Cabinet Division has issued the notification, they said.
The PM House press release says: “The Prime Minister has been pleased to designate Ch Pervaiz Elahi, Federal Minister for Defence Production & Industries as deputy prime minister with immediate effect and until further orders. This shall not confer upon him any powers of the prime minister in any manner whatsoever, says a notification issued by the Cabinet Division.” The ‘till further order’ indicates that he would continue in the office long the prime minister wishes so. The last sentence is viewed as derogatory, the observers opined.
via: thenews.com.pk
Read more: http://vusolutions.com/#ixzz1yyDpzwuL
