THERE has been another Cabinet reshuffle in Punjab. Cooperative Minister Mehar Muhmmad Aslam and Prisons Minister Zawar Hussain Warraich were stripped of their portfolios on Monday whilst Fayyazul Hasan Chohan removed as the Provincial Information Minister and Firdous Ashiq Awan appointed as the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information.
It is the second time that Chohan has been removed as Information Minister. Earlier he was stripped of the portfolio for attracting huge criticism on social media for his controversial remarks against the Hindu minority. However, he was later reinstated as the Information Minister, replacing Mian Aslam Iqbal who had requested for leaving the charge of Information Ministry. There is no doubt that Chohan was at the forefront in the Punjab government to respond to the tirade of opposition parties very forcefully and effectively. For this purpose, he also garnered praise from Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, as PTI has completed more than two years in power now, they now need a person who could better highlight and project the performance and policies of the provincial government. In this context, we understand that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has made a right choice by appointing Firdous Ashiq Awan as his Special Assistant on Information. She has already served in the centre and has the expertise of media and communication strategy. Whilst Firdous is a good addition to the provincial capital, her main focus should be on improving the image of provincial government by highlighting the good work done by it for the welfare of the people. This will not be an easy task for the Special Assistant especially at a time when there is resentment in the public about the rising prices of essential commodities. Therefore the provincial government will have to act as a one unit to provide the much needed relief to the common. Focus should be on improving the governance and development projects aimed at providing basic amenities to the people at the grassroots level. Those not delivering either ministers or the bureaucrats should be shown the doors. It is now or never like situation for the PTI to deliver and live up to the expectations of the masses.
