Jam Mashooq’s appointment as adviser to PM raises questions

ISLAMABAD: The surprise appointment of Jam Mashooq Ali as a political adviser to the prime minister on Thursday raised many questions in line with the fast emerging political scenario in Sindh where a mix of targeted operations and accountability of politicians is going on.
The MQM has succeeded in saving face after tendering resignations from the assemblies and the Senate but the PPP leadership is in a turmoil. The appointment, which would have been a routine practice in normal circumstances, seems to have far-reaching effects on the overall politics of Sindh as Jam Mashooq’s father was a former Sindh chief minister who shot to prominence following an indiscriminate crackdown on Pakistan People’s Party in the early 90s.
Jam’s meeting with the PM preceded the advice to the president for appointing him a political adviser. More significant was the presence of a good number of federal ministers and the leader of the house in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq in the meeting which gave credence to the fact that Jam had a special role to play in Sindh, which has no or nominal representation in the federal cabinet.
An interesting aspect of the appointment is that the PML-N government has ditched Ghaus Ali Shah, a Sharif family loyalist, and Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, two aspirants of prominent portfolios for providing services to the party and leaders at crucial times. While the former is sitting on the sidelines, Mumtaz Bhutto is inclined to joining Imran Khan’s PTI as he had a telephonic talk with him a couple of days back.
It should be recalled that Ghaus Ali Shah was also appointed by PM Nawaz during his second stint in power back in 1997 and then elevated to the coveted office of Sindh CM. Former judge of Sindh High Court had proved to be a very strong antidote for the influential PPP.
Political observers give great significance to the appointment of Jam Mashooq Ali as an adviser to the prime minister in the wake of the fluid political situation in the province with the PPP, being in disarray due to the leadership’s inability to keep the party together, and the move to disturb whatever remaining chain of command by putting its tainted leaders behind the bars.