Politicians, analysts weigh in on PM Imran's cabinet reshuffle
Major makeover of federal cabinet sends shockwaves across the country's political landscape
PM Imran Khan reshuffles federal cabinet. PHOTO: FILE
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.”
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.
PM Imran hints at further cabinet changes after 'batting order' shuffle
“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?”
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."
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”.
Mubashir Zaidi
"Whoever comes now will take a running start and implement the things that need to be done."
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."
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!"
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?"
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."
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."
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.”
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.
PM Imran hints at further cabinet changes after 'batting order' shuffle
“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?”
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."
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”.
Mubashir Zaidi
"Whoever comes now will take a running start and implement the things that need to be done."
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."
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!"
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?"
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."
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."