THE PML-N-led government in Punjab has allocated nine portfolios to six of its ministers. This would no doubt unburden Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, who carried the charge of 13 ministries before this reassignment, but since these ministers are holding other portfolios as well, it raises the question whether the allocation of more ministries to them would create problems of governance. Mian Shahbaz, who has proved to be an indefatigable worker, would have, however, known how hard it is to micromanage government business. Since the PML-N assigned these portfolios out of its own share, the PPP has not expressed any reservations. Nevertheless, the step is hardly likely to prove a cure for the prevailing ills in the province. This would require wholehearted commitment of the incumbents to their duties, in which the top priority should go to the problems of the people. Besides, keeping in view the fragile nature of the coalition in Punjab, with both the PPP and the PML-N often at daggers drawn, one must say that teamwork alone could repair the damage. That would also help the parties to fully devote their energies to the jobs that come under their purview. There is also a sense of uneasiness among the Punjab ministers because cabinet meetings are not held regularly, and decisions that should be debated by ministers are taken on an ad hoc basis. Periodic cabinet meetings would help eliminate faulty decisions, that are at times arrived at without due consultation.