ISLAMABAD: The country’s petroleum sector is abuzz with speculations that Petroleum Minister Musadik Masood Malik is going to be replaced by recently promoted Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. However, nothing can be said with finality until the notification is issued by the Cabinet Division, as both Maliks belong to Lahore and have the full support of Raiwind, i.e., former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
According to sources, Musadik Malik is disliked in the energy sector for his stringent stance on various issues, due to which most cases related to the petroleum sector are pending, or no decisions are being made. Due to his rigid approach, he was replaced by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar as head of the Committee on Sugar.
In this regard, giants of the petroleum sector have repeatedly registered their complaints at all the appropriate levels, but Musadik Malik continued to serve as Petroleum Minister because the Prime Minister was waiting for an expansion in the Federal Cabinet, which has now been completed.
On the other hand, Ali Pervaiz Malik, son of former Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik, has a strong political background and very close relations with the Sharif family. He has also performed well as Minister of State for Finance. Ends
