Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Communication Abdul Hakeem Baloch has decided to resign from his ministry over differences with National Highways Authority Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar and alleged interference of Captain (Retd) Muhammad Safdar, member of the National Assembly and son-in-law of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in the affairs of his ministry, sources told Daily Times on Saturday.

Baloch is ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s only member in the National Assembly from Karachi. He was elected to the National Assembly from the NA-258 (Karachi-XX), Malir. He was made a member of the federal cabinet on the basis of his performance and now he has decided to quit. He has informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif about his decision, the sources said.

According to the sources, the prime minister had assured Baloch that he would address his concerns, but later he took no action in this regard.

Safdar, who is allegedly interfering in the affairs of Baloch’s ministry, is also chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology. It is said that the NHA chairman takes instructions directly from the Prime Minister’s Office instead of listening to Baloch, the head of the ministry, which oversees the affairs of the NHA. The NHA chairman allegedly does not listen to the minister and ignores his orders. The minister was also kept in darkness about many projects of the NHA.

“Yes, I have made the decision and my resignation is ready. Everything will be clear by Tuesday,” Baloch told Daily Times. He confirmed that he was a powerless minister and he failed to solve the problems of the people of his constituency. He said that he had no other option, but to quit.

When asked about his plans to seek a separate seat in the National Assembly or join another political party, Baloch said he would answer all these questions on Tuesday. He said the prime minister did not address his concerns despite repeated reminders.

It may be mentioned here that the portfolio of the communication minister has been with the prime minister from day one. Baloch was just looking after file work of the ministry and he was not authorised to take any decisions on any projects, especially roads. The details of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor were never shared with his ministry.