Major changes expected in K-P cabinet
Former Minister for Health and Information Technology Shahram Khan Tarakai. PHOTO: APP
Former provincial health minister Shahram Khan Tarakai, who had been sacked in January this year, is likely to rejoin the cabinet today (Thursday).
A senior official in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government and familiar with the development, told The Express Tribune that Tarakai is likely to be sworn in on Thursday (today) and will later be handed the education portfolio. The portfolio is currently held by Akbar Ayub Khan.
In wake of that, Special Assistant to K-P Chief Minister for Information Kamran Bangash will resign from the Ministry of Local Government and the charge of the ministry will be handed over to Akbar. Moreover, MPA Anwer Zeb Khan will also join Tarakai in the provincial cabinet.
The official further said the two disgruntled members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), former senior tourism minister Atif Khan and Shakeel Khan have refused to accept an offer extended by the provincial government to retake their seats in the provincial cabinet. Not only the hugely influential Tarakai but his uncle Muhammad Ali will join the treasury benches.
In January, provincial ministers Atif, Shakeel and Tarakai had been kicked out of the provincial cabinet for allegedly conspiring against Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and forming a forward bloc of the party.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2020.