The expansion of the federal cabinet is aimed at giving representation to allied political parties in order to keep the political system stable, says Pervaiz Rashid. PHOTO: INP/FILE
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government is set to expand the federal cabinet by another seven federal and state ministers and an adviser, within a week, official sources have told The Express Tribune.
The sources said that the expansion was delayed because, following talks with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), prime minister’s close aides did not recommend an alliance with MQM.
JUI-F’s Akram Khan Durrani’s appointment as a federal minister was already approved by outgoing President Asif Ali Zardari. However, the names for the other cabinet members is yet to be finalised.
“The prime minister will convene a meeting to deliberate upon the candidates and the slots in the expanded cabinet,” an official said. “The proposed candidates include some names from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata),” he added.
Disclosing some of the names for the new positions in the cabinet, he said the candidates for federal ministers include Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, MNA from Bahawalpur; and Senator Abbas Khan Afridi, a former commerce minister from Fata. Tariq Fazl Chaudhry from Islamabad and Sajid Hussain Turi from Fata are being considered for induction as ministers of state.
It was learnt that close aides have advised Prime Minister Nawaz against allying with the MQM. As such, while the JUI-F will join the federal cabinet, MQM is unlikely to be a part at least for the time being.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said Prime Minister Nawaz is having consultations with the PML-N leadership, including the party’s provincial chiefs, as well as its allies, to expand the federal cabinet.
Rashid said expansion of the federal cabinet was aimed at giving representation to allied political parties in order to keep the political system stable.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2013.
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@WB: Yes there is a huge difference, atleast they r moving in the right direction, and what can we do this is sub continent politics,
Roshan Pakistan
So what does it takes to forget a PPP govt? A PML-N govt..
Is there any end to these shenanigans by the ruling class on the backs of this unfortunate nation.And we thought there will be belt tightening by this administration. How wrong we could be, they always look after themselves and their interests and not the nation. How long this loot will continue, please let me know.
Here we go! It's getting harder to tell the difference between PPP & PMLN style of governance! Does PMLN need allies?? Whatever happened to the "heavy" mandate??