ISLAMABAD: Opposition party members have criticized the new government for appointing Abdul Qadir Patel as Pakistan’s new health minister, citing criminal cases against him as well as his qualifications to lead a health ministry.
After a long wait, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s 34-member cabinet has been sworn in. There are 31 ministers and three ministers of state. Qadir Patel is sworn in for the first time in Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet as federal health minister.
Abdul Qadir Patel, politician of the PPP (Pakistan People’s Party), is a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan. At 25, he became the country’s youngest MP. Besides being the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, he was the head of the Standing Committee of Home Affairs. In 2018, he was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in the country’s new constituency, NA-248 (Karachi West-I).
However, opposition party members have criticized the appointment of Abdul Qadir Patel as Pakistan’s new health minister, citing criminal cases against him and his qualifications to lead such an important ministry.
Former federal minister Ali Zaidi reminded us that Qadir Patel is involved in the Hawks Bay land case. While social media users have expressed their rage as Patel has been involved in various acts of corruption and crimes.
Others pointed to former health minister Dr. Faisal Sultan as an accomplished medical professional compared to Patel, who had no experience in the health sector.
Meanwhile, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho said Abdul Qadir Patel was “fully capable” of leading the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSR&C) , claiming that someone doesn’t need to be an expert in the field. area for which they have been made responsible within the government.
According to Dr. Azra, political will is more important in leading a government department or ministry than having professional expertise or management and leadership skills.
