Occupying TV screens at the cost of others led to Chohan’s removal

It was the reservations expressed by the four senior provincial ministers, which resulted in the removal of Fayazul Hassan Chohan from the Punjab cabinet, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

The airtime received by Chohan on TV channels angered these cabinet members, as they noted that opportunity wasn’t provided to others. That’s why they conveyed this complaint to both Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

Meanwhile, this situation developed despite the formation of a committee to defend and present the government’s case. However, it was only Chohan who remained visible on the TV screens.

But it wasn’t just the TV coverage as Chohan’s intervention in the government social media team was another reason which led to his ouster from the information ministry.

Sources say the former information minister wanted to induct his favourites in the team and also ignored the directives issued by the Chief Minister’s House.

On the other hand, there is a question of why Firdous Ashiq Awan has been chosen as his replacement despite her unceremonious removal from the federal setup months back.

The answer is simple: to counter the active role being played by the women opposition members like Maryam Nawaz, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Shaista Pervaiz Malik and Hina Pervaiz Butt.

Earlier on Monday, the Punjab government decided to remove the information minister and two others as a notification said Firdous – a former special assistant to prime minister – was appointed as a special assistant to the chief minister on the information.

Corporative Minister Mehar Muhammad Aslam and Prison Minister Zawar Hussain Warraich were the victim of this latest reshuffle in the Punjab cabinet.

The changes in the Punjab cabinet were made after the consultation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

It is the second time Chohan has been removed from the office of information minister. However, he would continue to work as colonies minister.

In March 2019, Chohan was fired over anti-Hindu remarks. The PTI leader had come under severe criticism after a video of him had gone viral on social media. Later in December 2019, Chohan was appointed information minister yet again.

Meanwhile, Firdous thanked Imran and Buzdar for her new appointment, saying, “I am greatly humbled and honored.”

I am greatly humbled and honored with the confidence that my great leader Imran Khan has shown in myself and my ability. I am also deeply thankful to the honourable CM Punjab for making me a part of his team. I will do my level best to honour this call to duty. pic.twitter.com/97OhvWKx1d

— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) November 2, 2020

In another tweet, she said: “It is with great humility that I accept this tremendous responsibility.”

It is with great humility that I accept this tremendous responsibility. God willing, I will try and do my level best to change the information Landscape of the Government of Punjab for the better to the best of my ability.

— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) November 2, 2020

On April 27, 2020, Firdous was removed as a special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcasting over corruption allegations. Former Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Lt-Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa replaced her while Senator Shibli Faraz was appointed as federal minister for information.

PML-N the happiest my removal: Chohan

Former Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hassan Chohan Tuesday said it is our faith in Allah Almighty that whatever happens is for the best.
Chohan tweeted that Major (retd) Gaurav Arya, India's RAW, mixed pickle party [Pakistan Democratic Movement], and especially Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are the happiest after the provincial ministry was taken back from him.
“Rest assured that I am Prime Minister Imran Khan's soldier and will continue
to expose the opposition's corruption,” Chohan said.