K-P may expand cabinet after Eidul Fitr

PESHAWAR: An expansion of the provincial cabinet has been postponed until the formation of and appointment of chairpersons of provincial assembly standing committees, it has been learnt. The process is expected to continue after the Eidul Fitr holidays.

A source privy to the development told The Express Tribune that lawmakers from the newly merged tribal districts will be included in these committees after Eidul Fitr.

Since the ouster of three ministers from the provincial cabinet at the turn of the year, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has inducted only one minister in the cabinet from the merged districts.

The source said that the K-P government has also postponed the induction of new faces into the cabinet and will do so once the standing committees have been constituted and its chairpersons appointed.

At the moment, K-P Cabinet comprises 13 members. With the induction of three more ministers after Eidul Fitr, it is expected to swell to 16.

Standing committees of the provincial assembly were dissolved to adjust ruling party members from the merged districts. After the formation of the standing committees, the source said that the parliamentary secretary, women members of the party will be inducted in the cabinet as advisers and ministers.

As per the Constitution, the chief minister can appoint a maximum of five advisers, and an unlimited number of special assistants.

Governor may step down after Eid

Meanwhile, in another development, incumbent K-P Governor Shah Farman may step down after Eidul Fitr. A retired military officer is expected to be appointed in his stead. Sources told The Express Tribune that the governor will be given a new portfolio in the upper house of parliament.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2020.