Politicians, analysts weigh in on PM Imran's cabinet reshuffle

Major makeover of federal cabinet sends shockwaves across the country's political landscape

Before even completing its one year in the government, the cabinet reshuffle by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sent shockwaves across the political landscape of the country.

The Prime Minister’s Office had announced a major makeover of the federal cabinet on Thursday, with key portfolios of finance, information, health and petroleum division seeing new faces.

As news of Finance Minister Asad Umar's departure and reallocation of Fawad Chaudhry, Firdous Ashiq Awan and Shehryar Afridi's ministries spread like wildfire, prominent journalists, analysts and politicians shared their views on the micro-blogging platform, Twitter, of the 'dramatic change' in the present government.

Shahbaz Sharif

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, in a tweet, stated that the PTI government had done “irreparable damage to the Pakistani economy”.

“With the change of ministers, Imran Khan cannot escape responsibility of this economic catastrophe.”

پی ٹی آئی کی حکومت نے پاکستانی معیشت کو ناقابل تلافی نقصان پہنچایا ہے۔ وزیروں کی تبدیلی سے عمران خان اس معاشی تباہی کی ذمہ داری سے بچ نہی سکتے!

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 18, 2019

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari congratulated the nation amidst a federal cabinet reshuffle that saw Asad Umar being axed as finance minister. Saying the first wicket had fallen, Bilawal said: “The government’s entire team will return to the pavilion before the end of 50 overs.” He further stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan is unable to handle his team and the government.



“The selected PM is neither able to run the economy nor foreign affairs. Imran has pushed the country into a severe crisis. After the financial crisis, severe governance crisis has appeared in the country,” added the PPP chairperson.

Ahsan Iqbal

“The recent cabinet reshuffle is a proof that Imran Khan had no preparation for government and he also failed to build a team. He cheated the nation on the slogan of Naya Pakistan. He is now borrowing cabinet members from other parties. Where is PTI’s core team?”

The recent cabinet reshuffle is a proof that #IK had no preparation for govt & didn’t build a team. He cheated the nation on the slogan of #NayaPakistan. He is now borrowing cabinet members from other parties. Where is #PTI core team?

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) April 19, 2019

Marriyum Aurangzeb

"If PTI’s and Asad Umar’s policies were so good, and the problems were from PML-N government, then why was he asked to step down. This is an admission by IK that his polices have created an economic crisis in Pakistan. The real problem is not Asad. It is the PM."

If PTI’s and Asad Umer’s policies were so good, and the problems were from PMLN government,then why was he asked to step down.This is an admission by IK that his polices have created an economic crisis in Pakistan. the real problem is not Asad. It is the PM.@pmln_org @PTIofficial https://t.co/GYIhL9qPue

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 18, 2019

Rehman Malik

Asad Umar is the first causality, rather, he has been made escape goat to cover the failure of the government. In fact government needs to make Economic structural changes by utilising all available resources & plan out the national debt retirement .

Mohammad Zubair

"Whoever comes now will take a running start and implement the things that need to be done."

Ayesha Raza Farooq

PML-N Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq stated a change in one of the most important cabinets is “not a good omen”.

Not a good omen; change of one of the most important cabinet ministers.

Is he alone to be blamed for the current economic mess @PTIofficial ? Is he being made a scapegoat? https://t.co/Lpqc9sDcx6

— Ayesha Raza Farooq (@AyeshaRaza13) April 18, 2019

Mubashir Zaidi

"Whoever comes now will take a running start and implement the things that need to be done."

https://twitter.com/MubashirZaidi/status/1118806983711371264

Mosharraf Zaidi

"Austerity hawks, anti-reform seths, and retired grandpas have won, and Asad Umar has lost. The young core of the PTI has been cheated and lied to. A terrible day for well-wishers of Tabdeeli."

Austerity hawks, anti reform seths, and retired grandpas have won, and Asad Umar has lost.

The young core of the PTI has been cheated and lied to.

Terrible day for well wishers of Tabdeeli.

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) April 18, 2019

Talat Hussain

"Asad Umar departs after negotiating a deal with the IMF timing before the budget and after plunging the economy into chaos. You can only imagine the state of dysfunction in this govt that the star finance minister didn't last even a year!"

Asad Umar departs after negotiating a deal with the IMF (timing🙈) before budget (😳) and after plunging the economy into chaos. You can only imagine the state of dysfunction in this govt that the star finance minister didnt last even a year!

— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) April 18, 2019

Murtaza Solangi

"Hafeez Shaikh heading finance, Firdous Ashiq Awan heading info ministry, Samsam Bukhari heading Punjab info, Nadeem Afzal Chan special assistant to PM. Have I entered the old nostalgic era or what? Do I feel at home again?"

Hafeez Shaikh heading finance, Firdous Ashiq Awan heading info ministry, Samsam Bukhari heading Punjab info, Nadeem Afzal Chan special assistant to PM. Have I entered old nostalgic era or what? Do I feel at home again? 😜

— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) April 18, 2019

Marvi Sirmed

"State of the dwindling economy has nothing to do with the firing of Asad Umar because PM doesn't even believe that there's a problem with the handling of the economy. Main reason for Asad Umar's fall is probably his recent attempts to hit the interests of immensely powerful sugar lobby. Mafia wins."

State of dwindling economy has nothing to do with فائرنگ of @Asad_Umar coz PM doesn't even believe that there's a problem with handling of economy. Main reason of AU's fall is probably his recent attempts to hit the interests of immensely powerful sugar lobby. Mafia wins.

— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) April 18, 2019

Shaheen Sehbai

"Imran's Bold Step: Letting Asad Umar go at this point, just before budget means Imran Khan is ready to dissolve assembly if his cabinet reshuffle also fails. No reason for opposition Johns to celebrate. It’s their bad mess Imran Khan is cleaning. They don’t have a chance. Imran is Democracy’s last."

IMRANS BOLD STEP: Letting AsadUmar go at this point, jst b4 budget means IK is ready to dissolve Assembly if his cabinet reshuffle also fails. No reason for Opposition Johns to celebrate. It’s their bad mess IK is cleaning. They don’t hv a chance. Imran is Democracy’s last option

— SHAHEEN SEHBAI (@SSEHBAI1) April 18, 2019