PM authorised by CEC to dissolve cabinet; form smaller one
ISLAMABAD, Feb 4 (APP): The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan Peoples Party on Friday authorised Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to dissolve the cabinet and form a smaller one.The meeting held here at the President House and chaired by PPP Co-chairman President Asif Ali Zardari authorised the Prime Minister to reappoint a smaller cabinet with fewer ministers enjoying reputation of “integrity, competence and efficiency.”
Briefing media Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the decision was taken after the Co-chairman invited members’ comments on his intention to install a “lean” cabinet whose members are above the board.
All the ministers, advisors, special assistants and those holding rank of ministers will cease to hold offices on a date to be decided by the Prime Minister in consultation with coalition partners and under guidance and advice of the party’s Co-chairman President Asif Ali Zardari.
The party’s CEC meeting with Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari in chair and also attended by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, was called to discuss the political situation with particular reference to trimming the size of the cabinet.
Speaking on the occasion the President touched upon a number of issues ranging from progress on investigation in the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and a broad overview of performance of Government and the cabinet during last three years and strategy to revitalize economy in view of mounting economic pressures.
The President said that he will continue to play the role of guiding the party and the government.
About investigation in the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the President said that significant progress had been made and some accused were already in custody who will be tried and punished under the law. No one involved in this crime in any way will be allowed to get away with it, he said.
The President paid tribute to Salman Taseer describing him as a martyr in the cause of protecting the rights of minorities who courageously expressed his reservations against laws that had been misused to settle personal and political scores behind the fa‡ade of religion.
He said that he had sent his sister Ms. Faryal Talpur to Salman Taseer’s family on the day of assassination for condolence and he also visited the family a few days later.
The President said that the Prime Minister has already made the position of the Government clear on the blasphemy law on the floor of the House.
He said that the Prime Minister has also invited the religious leaders and the political parties in the Parliament to work together in finding a solution so that misuse of the law could be prevented.  There was no other forum better than the Parliament for this purpose, the President said.
Talking about the incident in Lahore of a US national involved in the murder of Pakistani nationals, the President said that the Government had taken a principled position that the matter was before the judiciary whose verdict should be awaited and respected.
The President also made an impassioned plea against exploiting the incident for political point scoring and saying or doing anything that made its just resolution in national interest difficult and intractable, Farhatullah Babar said.