MUZAFFARABAD: A member of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) sizable cabinet on Wednesday claimed that non-allotment of portfolios to ministers was not affecting governance in the state because Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq was taking counsel from his ministerial team on each and every decision.

“In my view, if we had been granted portfolios we might have been into a fix on a number of issues because it’s a coalition government and each party has its own priorities and the mechanism to move forward,” said Chaudhry Mohammad Rasheed, one of the PTI renegades who have sided with PM Haq in the formation of a coalition government with the PPP and the PML-N.

He said immediate allotment of portfolios could also have triggered disputes in the workers of coalition partners.

“At the moment we are moving ahead with patience. There is a state of stability,” maintained Mr Rasheed at a press conference called to dispel an impression that funds for a hospital in Muzaffarabad had allegedly been shifted to Bhimber in the constituency of PM Haq.

Says we are moving ahead with patience, there is a state of stability

He said he firmly believed that in order to ensure smooth functioning of the government all coalition partners would have to come on one page with regard to the terms and reference of governance related activities.

Mr Rasheed’s viewpoint on allotment of portfolios was however believed to be in contrast with the sentiments of most of his colleagues who were reportedly feeling huffy without portfolios.

However, they were avoiding airing their feelings in the public lest it could displease PM Haq and eventually weaken their chances of getting a good portfolio, sources told Dawn.

Recently, Syed Bazil Naqvi, a minister from the PPP, could not help but voice his frustration at a media talk over the non-allotment of portfolios, saying the commitment made to his party was not being honoured.

However, the PPP distanced itself from his assertions, terming them his personal views.

Sources said many cabinet members were not even attending their offices for want of any official work in the absence of a portfolio.

After assuming office on April 20, Mr Haq had inducted one each lawmaker from the PPP and the PML-N in his cabinet to meet a constitutional requirement. They were however not given any portfolios.

Of them, Waqar Noor of PML-N was allotted finance on June 21, a day before the presentation of 2023-24 budget which was passed by the house within hours without any debate.

Three days after the approval of the budget, Mr Haq inducted 27 more ministers - eight from the PPP, three from the PML-N and the rest from his group of PTI renegades - in his cabinet. However, none of them was given any portfolio either.

“I can say with certainty on behalf of the prime minister that neither he is doing nor he will take any step in violation of the constitution, laws and the rules of business.”

He added: “The way the PM has conducted himself over the past three months, I bet no minister will either dare suggest anything against the law and rules,” he added.

Mr Rasheed asserted that the delay in allotment of portfolios was not because of some disagreement, but because the premier wanted to streamline everything.

He alleged that previously Azad Kashmir was run according to “traditions” but now it would be governed in accordance with the constitution, law and rules, which would eventually set everything right.

Responding to a question towards the end of his press talk, Mr Rasheed maintained that the phase of allocation of portfolios was not too far.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023