New government: 18 members of AJK cabinet take oath

MQM still undecided about joining.

MUZAFFARABAD:

Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Raja Zulqarnain Khan administered the oath on Tuesday to the newly-elected cabinet for the region.

The cabinet includes a reserved seat for women while two slots have also been created for the post of advisers. Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Chaudhry Latif Akber has been given the ministries of finance, planning and development, while another prominent leader Matloob Inquilabi has been given the portfolio of information minister. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Raja Farooq Haider has been appointed opposition leader in the assembly.

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has not yet made up its mind about becoming a part of the AJK cabinet. The party’s elected member Saleem Butt says the matter is still under consideration.

The elections, held in June, had ignited violence across several cities on the day of the polls, while the MQM has also parted ways with the PPP government owing to differences over seats, only to reconcile later.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2011.