05-April-2010
18th Amendment not to Effect Cabinet size: Aslam Bhootani
Quetta: Speaker Balochistan Assembly Aslam Bhootnai has said that proposal given in the 18th amendment for a small cabinet would not effect present cabinet as it would only come into force as a new government was in place following the next general elections. The impression that passage of 18th amendment from the parliament would pave way for a cut in Balochistan cabinet, reducing it to 15 members only, was not right. Speaker Balochistan assembly expressed these views in a special chat here the other day. Aslam Bhootnai said that credit of 18th amendment goes to all political parties who made this possible through their unflinching resolve towards this task, adding the proposed amendment for a small cabinet would be implemented in the next governments which would come into place in future. He said that 18th amendment has also a clause that in case of Governor’s visit to abroad Assemblies' Speakers would act as acting governors. He, however said if Speaker was also not available than the president would have the authority to appoint someone as Governor for that period. Bhootnai said that 18th amendment also contains some clauses for a caretaker set up which bar any relative of the care taker Chief Minister including son, daughter or wife or husband of a male or a female Chief Minister respectively. He said that 18th amendment would restore the 1973 constitution in its original form. He congratulated all the political parties on preparing 18th amendment as per wishes of the masses.