PM to include Moonis in his cabinet

Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to further expand his cabinet and has decided in principle to appoint PML-Q lawmaker Moonis Elahi as the federal minister for water resources.

According to sources, the Cabinet Division is going to issue a notification in this regard soon. PML-Q is an ally of the ruling PTI in the Centre and Punjab province and Moonis will be the second lawmaker from the party – after Tariq Bashir Cheema – to be given the portfolio of a federal minister.

PM Imran’s cabinet right now comprises 51 members including 27 ministers, four state ministers, four advisers and 16 special assistants. With the inclusion of Moonis, the cabinet will swell to 52 members.

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The development took place a week after a PML-Q delegation – comprising Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, Federal Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema and MNA Moonis Elahi – met Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad.

The delegation had reportedly discussed with the premier the political situation in Punjab. Topics like the provincial budget, “smooth” conduct of the Punjab Assembly proceedings during the budget debate and construction of new Punjab Assembly Building had also come under discussion.

The participants had agreed that the two parties must make collective efforts for the progress and prosperity of the country’s biggest province.