Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: The Balochistan cabinet is bracing for a significant reshuffle, with key ministerial portfolios expected to change hands in the coming days, according to sources within the provincial government. The shake-up appears to follow the recent visit of senior political figures Nayar Bukhari of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Khawaja Asif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Health Ministry to Change Hands
A well-placed source revealed that Sardarzada Faisal Jamali, who currently holds the health portfolio, is likely to be reassigned to the livestock ministry. In his place, Bakht Muhammad Kakar is expected to assume the role of health minister, marking a significant shift in the leadership overseeing the province’s struggling healthcare system.
Long-Vacant Adviser Position to Be Filled
In a move to fill a position that has remained vacant for five months, Meena Majeed, a PPP Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Mekran, is set to join the cabinet as an adviser. Sources indicate that she will be assigned the sports and youth affairs portfolio. This decision follows months of speculation over who would fill the empty advisory role.
New Role for Nawab Changaiz Marri?
Unconfirmed reports suggest that Nawab Changaiz Marri could be accommodated in the cabinet as a provincial minister. Sources claim that Marri might be appointed to the communication and works department, while Saleem Khoso, the current minister for that department, is expected to take over the home and tribal affairs ministry.
Education Ministry Bifurcation Under Discussion
Further complicating the reshuffle is the ongoing discussion surrounding the bifurcation of the education ministry. Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, the current minister for education, may see her portfolio split, with internal lobbying efforts by Noor Muhammad Dumar and Muhammad Khan Lehri to secure half of the education ministry for themselves. This move has generated considerable debate within the provincial assembly as both contenders vie for control of an increasingly complex portfolio.
Political Underpinnings of the Shake-up
The anticipated changes follow the high-profile visit of Nayar Bukhari and Khawaja Asif, which appears to have accelerated decisions on cabinet appointments. Their involvement has sparked speculation that the reshuffle is part of a broader realignment within the provincial coalition government, with both the PPP and PML-N pushing for stronger representation and influence within the Balochistan cabinet.
