ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has expanded size of the cabinet and allotted additional portfolios to ministers to appease the Barrister Group.
A notification has been issued in this regard. According to a notification issued late Tuesday night by the Services and General Administration (Cabinet Division), Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Rathore allotted portfolios to ministers in view of administrative matters, exercising the powers vested under Rule 3 Sub-rule (4) of the Rules of Business (Revised) 1985.
Most Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed has been assigned the portfolio of Information Technology in addition to Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, and Human Rights.
Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, son of former President Barrister Sultan Mahmood, has been given charge of the Mirpur Development Authority (MDA) in addition to Minister for Physical Planning and Housing and MDHA.
Minister for Power Development Organization Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid has also been assigned the portfolio of Planning and Development Department (P&DD).
Minister for Kashmir Cause, Arts and Languages, Ms. Nabila Ayub, has been given the Department of Environment, and Minister for Communications and Works, Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar, has been given charge of the Bagh Development Authority.
It is worth noting that on Monday, Prime Minister Faisal Rathore met with Minister of State Yasir Sultan, which was deemed significant. The Barrister Group had been annoyed with the government for some time.
Barrister Group in AJK
Among the ministers who have been allotted additional portfolios, Yasir Sultan and Chaudhry Rashid belong to the Barrister Group. The allocation of portfolios to both ministers will certainly address their concerns to some extent.
Chaudhry Yasir Sultan was also upset over the transfer of the Deputy Commissioner Mirpur. Now he has been given the Ministry of Mirpur Development Authority, and Chaudhry Rashid has also received an important department like Planning.
Despite receiving the departments, it is still not decided whether the Barrister Group has backed down from the presidency or not. Recently, the Barrister Group had held a meeting and demanded the presidency.
