ISLAMABAD: The consultations for assigning cabinet portfolios to the newly appointed federal ministers and advisors have been finalised, according to reports. Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has completed discussions with his team to allocate important ministries following the swearing-in of the new cabinet members. The official announcement of the portfolio assignments is expected soon.
Sources indicate that the newly appointed ministers will likely take charge of significant ministries. For instance, the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of National Health, and Ministry of Communications are expected to be led by new cabinet members. Muhammad Ali, an advisor to the prime minister, is expected to be assigned the key portfolio of privatization.
Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik is expected to head the Ministry of Petroleum, while Dr. Musadik Malik is likely to lead the Ministry of Climate Change. Dr. Tauqeer is expected to take charge of the Ministry of Cabinet and Establishment Division. Hanif Abbasi is set to lead the Ministry of Railways, and Mustafa Kamal is likely to be appointed as the Minister of Science and Technology.
Raza Hayat Hiraj is expected to take over the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, while Khalid Magsi will head the Ministry of Water. Pervez Khattak is likely to be assigned the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination. Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry is expected to become the new Minister of Health, and Shiza Fatima will continue to lead the Ministry of Information Technology.
This cabinet expansion comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inducted 27 new members into the federal cabinet. The new ministers, including both members of the ruling party and allied parties, took their oath during a ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadar (President House), with President Asif Ali Zardari administering the oath.
The newly expanded federal cabinet now includes 46 members, with 13 federal ministers, 11 state ministers, and three advisors. The cabinet expansion follows nearly a year after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took office.
Read more: Aurat march seeks PM Shehbaz’s approval for rally NOC
