Shehbaz’s ‘lean cabinet’ to be unveiled today

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has finalized a "lean cabinet," which will be sworn in on Monday (today) to commence work on the tasks outlined in the first 100-day agenda.

Two key PML-N leaders confirmed to The Express Tribune that the prime minister has finalized his team. They disclosed that the names of these ministers, along with their portfolios, will be unveiled on Monday. "The names will be announced tomorrow [March 11]; just a few more hours to go," one of them stated.

They elaborated that the prime minister has opted for a compact federal cabinet this time, believing that portfolios should be entrusted to individuals capable of diligent work, delivery, and steering the country out of multifaceted crises.

During his 16-month tenure as the PM between April 2022 and August 2023, Shehbaz had an excessively large federal cabinet, drawing widespread criticism with some describing it as a financial burden on taxpayers amidst economic challenges.

PML-N sources disclosed that in the initial phase, PM Shehbaz intends to appoint only a select few "competent individuals" as ministers to oversee key ministries.
They indicated that more inductions might follow later, with members from the MQM-P, the PMLQ, and the IPP eyeing cabinet berths.

The PPP has already declared its abstention from joining the forthcoming federal cabinet.
Nevertheless, PM Shehbaz extended another invitation to the party leadership to join the cabinet. "The PPP politely declined the offer but will continue to provide input on policy formulation," one of the sources revealed.

Certain PML-N leaders, potentially cabinet members, emphasized the party's focus on achieving the tasks outlined for the first 100 days.

Their objective is to address economic challenges, attract investment, curb inflation, and ensure optimal utilization of time. "Governance, economic revitalization, national security, agriculture, and climate change remain paramount," one source affirmed.

"In addition, commitments related to education, healthcare, employment, and the party manifesto will be fulfilled," the source added. The PML-N manifesto also pledges to abolish the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and restore Article 62 & 63 to their original form.
In the backdrop discussions, some PML-N leaders hinted at the privatization of underperforming entities, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.

They also underscored the need to renegotiate a fresh deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address ongoing economic challenges.

The sources indicated that the initial cabinet is expected to comprise just over a dozen ministers. In the first phase, portfolios such as finance, foreign affairs, energy, planning, interior, information, and privatization will be assigned.

Moreover, federal ministers may be assigned additional portfolios to maintain a lean cabinet size. Expected inclusions in the federal cabinet include Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, and banker Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The newly formed federal cabinet will be administered the oath by newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari, who himself was sworn in on Sunday.

The duo of PM Shehbaz and President Zardari, returning to their previous roles, represents the new face of the coalition government, seemingly poised for stability.

Previously, PM Shehbaz led a coalition government following the ouster of the PTI-led federal government, while Zardari completed his first five-year term as President of Pakistan in 2013.