Langrial likely to succeed Raza Hiraj

ISLAMABAD - The PML-Q leadership is likely to forward the name of its MNA Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial for the portfolio of minister of state for housing and works as Raza Hayat Hiraj has submitted his resignation to President Zardari. A source in the PML-Q told this scribe that resignation of Hayat had been later sent to the party chief Ch Shujat Hussain, however it was not yet accepted, as the leadership was waiting for the arrival of Minister for Housing and Works Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat who is abroad nowadays. He said that party leadership would first discuss it with Hiraj in the presence of Faisal Saleh Hayat and later would decide whether or not the resignation should be accepted. He added if the leadership accepted the resignation of Raza Hayat Hiraj from the given portfolio then Langrial may take the oath as minister of state for housing and works. Hiraj has submitted his resignation to the President. According to some reports that Hiraj has taken this step against poor performance of the committee formed to look into the matter of the establishment of new province South Punjab, besides he was also worried about the bill he submitted in the Lower House as private member of the House as it was not being processed. Hiraj during a private member day in the National Assembly has submitted a bill according to that no one having dual nationality, property in foreign countries and foreign accounts can hold the public offices in the country. He was reportedly also concerned over the delay of accountability bill. It is pertinent to mention here that Malik Nauman Ahmad Langrial won the election from NA-163, Sahiwal, in general elections of 2008.