The crisis of management in the country has once again been exposed — this time on account of the inflation, political uncertainty and COVID-19 epidemic. More requires to be done to reassure the nation in the testing times than just tweeting messages of comfort, frequently reshuffling in the federal cabinet and tall claims.
The decision to reshuffle the federal cabinet, reassure the nation with tall claims, holding cabinet meetings without a solution to the severe issues only serves to trivialize an extremely serious situation that requires a far more prudent approach.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has made major decisions regarding changes in the federal cabinet, two of which are the appointment of Tabish Gohar as Special Assistant for Petroleum in place of Nadeem Babar and the appointment of Hamad Azhar as Finance Minister by replacing Hafeez Sheikh.
Nationwide petrol crisis and dismissal of Babar
In June 2020, the country witnessed a repeat of the 2015 petroleum shortage. The reason was, once again, the falling global prices and the attempt by the oil industry to avoid inventory losses.
The difference that time was that the catastrophe developed over a period of time, continued too long and saw a far poorer response from the government’s authorities.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had asked Babar and Secretary for Petroleum Division to resign from the posts for a 90-day period, during which the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will conduct a forensic investigation into the criminal acts that led to the fuel crisis in 2020.
The government also clarified that neither SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar or the Secretary Petroleum Mian Asad Hayaud Din have been found guilty in the Petroleum crisis, although, they have been asked to resign from their posts for a transparent investigation into the issue.
The FIA has also been directed to present a forensic audit report in 90 days and a special team has also been formed and anyone found guilty will be dealt with according to the law.
Burgeoning inflation: Removal of Hafeez Shaikh
Failing to come to grips with the growing inflation in the country, an unhappy PM Imran dismissed Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, as Finance Minister replacing him with Minister for Industries and Production, Muhammad Hammad Azhar.
Earlier, Hafeez had swapped Asad Umar as finance minister. Muhammad Hammad Azhar will become the third finance minister since the PTI came to power in 2018.
Hafeez’s removal comes a few weeks after he lost the Senate poll to PPP’s Yusuf Raza Gilani on March 3, who has been notified as Leader of the Opposition.
Hafeez Sheikh is not a member of the Parliament. Earlier, he was a special adviser to the prime minister on finance however made finance minister in December 2020. Though, according to Article 91 (9) of the Constitution, he could not stay a minister for more than six months except he was selected to one of the two legislatures; either the Senate or the National Assembly.
Something unusual happened
Hafeez Sheikh was removed hastily without waiting for expected reshuffles in the federal cabinet. It was expected that something strange happened on Sunday night after which PM Imran decided to remove Shaikh instantly. Only Imran Khan and his principal secretary are privy to accurately what ensued last night could lead to a change of hearts and minds at the premier Secretariat.
PM Imran had taken this essential decision on an occasion when the government is tempting international investors for launching about $3 billion Eurobond. Several PTI leaders were unaware of this development what exactly happened.
Inside story of the removal
Some reports and close confidants of Dr Shaikh said that Shaikh was not feeling well due to fever on Monday during which he received a telephone call from the PM Office. Possibly, the prime minister showed his displeasure with certain issues including the controversial SBP amendments under the dictates of IMF and price hike, at which Dr Shaikh asked the PM to replace him if he was not pleased with him. This occurrence could largely consequence in his sudden removal.
PM Imran needs to show statesmanship
In order to tackle the harsh challenges, the government requires taking all stakeholders on board and making some tough decisions to cop the issues. More significantly, Prime Minister Imran Khan needs to show statesmanship in this time of national emergency and make a brilliant cabinet team and take all political forces along with him. A national emergency needs a collective response.
It is a need of the hour to identify a loyal cabinet team despite frequent reshuffling the crisis and issues that remain unsolved and the move has a negative impact on the leadership.
Controlling inflation, tackling the flour, sugar, petrol crisis and providing economic security to the nation are the top priorities of Prime Minister Imran Khan. In such cases, decisions of dismissals and appointments in the federal cabinet are the prerogative of the Prime Minister and the positive fruits of such decisions are expected to show over time.
