Islamabad:
After completing a year in office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to expand the federal cabinet by introducing 20 new ministers, prime ministers and advisers, revealed sources on Tuesday. The new ministers, primarily from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), will also include members of allied parties. The Oath-toaking ceremony is expected to take place before the weekend, 27th or 28 February.
According to sources, those who are probably appointed to federal ministers and prime ministers, Hanif Abbasi, include Dr. Tariq Fazal, Barrister Aqeel, Huzaifa Rehman, Talal Chaudhry, Afzal Khokhar, Abdul Rehman Kanjo, Sardar Yousaf, Noshen Iftikhar, Romina Khurshid Alam, Reza Hayat Hiraj and Chaudhry Riaz. Mustafa Kamal from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is expected to become Minister of Science and Technology, while Khalid Magsi of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) is likely to be appointed Minister of Communications. Other names considered for cabinet positions include Ali Zahid Chaudhry, Junaid Rana, Mubashir Iqbal and Bilal Azhar Kayani.
In addition, the former bureaucrat Dr. Tauqir Hussain Shah, a close association with Shehbaz Sharif, set to be appointed adviser. Dr. Shah previously served as Shehbaz’s most important secretary before joining the World Bank. He recently retired from his position there to return to government service.
While the official announcement of ministerial portfolios will be issued after the ED-Ceremony, the sources show that Hanif Abbasi is expected to be appointed Minister of Railways, while Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry is likely to take responsibility as Minister of National Healthcare.
At present, the federal cabinet consists of 19 ministers, two prime ministers and one adviser. In addition, there is a special assistant to the Prime Minister, who has the status of prime minister together with six coordinators of the prime minister. With the new agreements, the cabinet is set to expand significantly, reflecting the government’s efforts to strengthen governance and coalition unit.
