Gilani sacks Ministers Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Azam Swati
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday sacked Ministers for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati from their offices, a statement from the PM House said. Though the PM House statement did not mention any reasons it is believed that the Minister of Religious Affairs was fired as serious allegations of corruption in the Hajj this year were levelled against him.
The former Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati and the Minister of Religious Affairs had entered a verbal bout, blaming each other of corruption during the Hajj operations.
Prime Minister Gilani has given the additional charge of Religious Affairs to Syed Khurshid Shah, Minister of Labour and Manpower.
While Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali has been appointed minister for Information Technology, and has been given additional charge of Minister of Education.
The Prime Minister has also appointed Makhdoom Shahbuddin as Minister for Defence Production, who will continue to hold his portfolio of the Health Ministry.
Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs Agha Sarwar Raza Qazalbash has been directed to report to the Establishment Division, while Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Division Saeed Khan has been appointed Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs.