Islamabad:
After finishing a year in power, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to extend the federal office by introducing 20 new ministers, state ministers and advisers, sources revealed on Tuesday. The new ministers, mainly from the Muslims League of Pakistan in power (PML-N), will also include members of the Allied parties. The oath ceremony should take place before the weekend on February 27 or 28.
According to sources, those who are likely to be appointed federal ministers and ministers include Hanif Abbasi, Dr Tariq Fazal, Barrister Aqeel, Huzaifa Rehman, Talal Chaudhry, Afzal Khokhar, Abdul Rehman Kanjo, Sardar Yousaf, Nosheen Iftikhar, Romina Khurshid Alam, Reza Hayat Hiraj, and Chaudhry Riaz. Mustafa Kamal of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is expected to become the Minister of Science and Technology, while Khalid Magsi of the Awami Party (BAP) of Balutchistan is likely to be appointed Minister of Communications. The other names envisaged for cabinet posts include Ali Zahid Chaudhry, Junaid Rana, Mubashir Iqbal and Bilal Azhar Kayani.
In addition, the former bureaucrat, Dr. Tauqir Hussain Shah, a close partner of Shehbaz Sharif, should be appointed advisor. Dr. Shah was previously Shehbaz’s principal secretary before joining the World Bank. He recently resigned from his post to return to the government service.
While the official announcement of ministerial portfolios will be made after the oath sampling ceremony, sources indicate that Hanif Abbasi should be appointed Minister of Railways, while Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry is likely to take the Minister of National Services health.
Currently, the federal cabinet is made up of 19 ministers, two ministers of state and an adviser. In addition, there is a special assistant by the Prime Minister who holds the status of Minister of State, as well as six coordinators of the Prime Minister. With new appointments, the cabinet should develop considerably, reflecting government efforts to strengthen the governance and coalition unit.
