Shehbaz to expand cabinet with 20 ministers, advisers

The new ministers, primarily from the ruling PML-N, will also include members from allied parties

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ISLAMABAD:

After completing one year in office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to expand the federal cabinet by inducting 20 new ministers, ministers of state, and advisers, sources revealed on Tuesday.

The new ministers, primarily from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), will also include members from allied parties. The oath-taking ceremony is expected to take place before the weekend, on February 27 or 28.

According to sources, those likely to be appointed as federal ministers and ministers of state include Hanif Abbasi, Dr. Tariq Fazal, Barrister Aqeel, Huzaifa Rehman, Talal Chaudhry, Afzal Khokhar, Abdul Rehman Kanjo, Sardar Yousaf, Nosheen Iftikhar, Romina Khurshid Alam, Reza Hayat Hiraj, and Chaudhry Riaz. Mustafa Kamal from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is expected to become the Minister for Science and Technology, while Khalid Magsi from the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) is likely to be appointed as Minister for Communications. Other names being considered for cabinet positions include Ali Zahid Chaudhry, Junaid Rana, Mubashir Iqbal, and Bilal Azhar Kayani.

Additionally, former bureaucrat Dr. Tauqir Hussain Shah, a close associate of Shehbaz Sharif, is set to be appointed as an adviser. Dr. Shah previously served as Shehbaz's principal secretary before joining the World Bank. He recently resigned from his position there to return to government service.

While the official announcement of ministerial portfolios will be made after the oath-taking ceremony, sources indicate that Hanif Abbasi is expected to be appointed as Minister for Railways, while Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry is likely to take charge as Minister for National Health Services.

At present, the federal cabinet consists of 19 ministers, two ministers of state, and one adviser. Additionally, there is one special assistant to the prime minister who holds the status of a minister of state, along with six coordinators to the prime minister. With the new appointments, the cabinet is set to expand significantly, reflecting the government's effort to strengthen governance and coalition unity.