KARACHI, June 2: The Sindh government has issued a notification stripping Home Minister Manzoor Wasan and Culture Minister Sassui Palijo of their portfolios.

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah will hold the charge of both the ministries, according to the notification.

The provincial government has alleged that Ms Palijo, along with 27 other members of the cabinet, sent a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in which she said the people allegedly involved in the firing on the May 22 rally of Awami Tehrik had been released on the orders of Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

She also exchanged harsh words with Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq at a cabinet meeting and walked out.

The allegation against Mr Wasan is that he went abroad for a medical checkup before the Lyari operation and after his return he refused to take charge of the home ministry.

Talking to reporters upon his arrival, he also criticised Rehman Malik for “interfering in the affairs of the Sindh government”.—Online