Why Imran Khan’s Minister For Parliamentary Affairs Brig. (R) Ijaz Shah Is A Misfit In The Federal Cabinet

The President of Pakistan Arif Alvi on Friday March 29, 2019 approved the appointment of Brig (R) Ijaz Shah as the Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs upon the recommendation of Prime Minister Imran Khan. While both the President and Premier have the constitutional mandate to induct any member of the National Assembly in the federal cabinet, this particular appointment has not been welcomed by various quarters.

It Reinforces the Mantra that Khan’s Cabinet Mirrors Musharraf’s Cabinet

Shah served on key positions under President General Pervez Musharraf such as Interior Sectary and as the head of Intelligence Bureau from 2004-2008. Brig. Shah also courted controversy in the past for being accused of electoral maneuvering in the 2002 and 2008 elections.

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For PTI this appointment means more baggage as the current cabinet already fares a handful of members who were either part of Musharraf’s cabinet or were close associates. For Instance, Sheikh Rahseed who is currently the Railways Minister held the same portfolio under the General. Similarly, Barrister Farogh Naseem, who is the current Minister of Law represented Mushrraf in the treason case against him. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chuadry was Musharraf’s official spokesperson while Zubida Jalal, Abdur Razzaq Dawood and Ghulam Sarwar, too, were ministers in Musharraf’s cabinet.

With Brig. Shah’s induction, critics now have another reason to be skeptic of Khan’s ministers.

Brig. Ijaz Shah was Named by Benazir Bhutto as a Suspect in Her Letter to Musharraf

Prior to her assassination, Benazir in a letter to (then) President Musharraf had named Brig. Ijaz Shah among the four people she believed were behind attacks on her life.

Many within the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also feel that as the then Chief of Intelligence, Brig. Shah did not provide adequate security and was perhaps complacent in her murder.  

His ties with PML-N are equally sore given the alleged accusations of his involvement in the creation of PML-Q.

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With so much bad blood between Shah and key political forces within the opposition, as the Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, it would be extremely difficult for him to forge a productive working relationship going forward.

Brig. Shah is a Novice for the Portfolio He has been Handed Over

As the portfolio demands, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is traditionally a seasoned parliamentarian. Brig Shah, however is a novice as this is his first term as a Member of the National Assembly.

Interestingly Shah was also being considered for the position of National Security Adviser, which would have been his true calling given his vast experience in ISI and later as the Head of Intelligence Bureau. 

While Prime Minister Imran Khan must have his reasons for this appointment, there is little reason to contend that as far as historical baggage is concerned, Brig. Shah is a complete misfit for the role that he has been assigned.