Pakistani minister who quit expected to rejoin cabinet

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Minister Nabeel Gabol, who resigned over differences with the party high command Wednesday, is expected to withdraw his resignation after a meeting earlier Friday with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani here.

Gabol, minister of state for ports and shipping, “apprised the PM about the reasons for his resignation and expressed severe reservations over the police raid at his house immediately after the resignation on Wednesday”, Dawn TV reported.

Police raided Gabol’s residence in Karachi and took his 11 guards as well as two servants into custody. They were released after interrogation for more than four hours. Their arms were also seized.

“The PM assured Gabol that an inquiry into the matter will be held to find out the motive.”

“He also assured the minister that his concerns regarding the party affairs will be taken care of, besides requesting him to rejoin the cabinet,” the media report said.

Gabol was upset at not being taken into confidence about the affairs of his ministry by his senior minister Babar Ghouri, and was also not happy with the party strategy in tackling the rampant target killings in Karachi.

“However, he is expected to resume his portfolio in a couple of days,” the report said.

Gabol is the 10th minister of the federal government who decided to part ways over differences within the ruling coalition that formed the government in 2008.