LAHORE:
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has picked out some six to eight lawmakers for possible induction into an expanded cabinet to be announced later, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The proposed cabinet members will take their place as ministers, ministers of state and advisers. But before that can happen the Punjab cabinet will undergo an expansion, according to sources close to the PML-N.
PML-N lawmaker Muhammad Talal Chaudhry confirmed that the federal cabinet would be enlarged following the induction of six to eight new faces. He, however, wouldn’t say when the expansion would take place. “Consultations are under way for this purpose,” Chaudhry told The Express Tribune.
State ministers
Currently, there are 10 ministers of state in the federal cabinet. Four more MNAs — Marvi Memon, Muhammad Junaid Anwaar Chaudhry, Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar — are likely to be inducted as ministers of state, sources said.
Marvi Memon, an MNA on a reserved seat, was recommended by Maryam Nawaz Sharif in recognition of her efforts to make the Prime Minister Youth Programme a success.
Sources said Memon has shown interest in the finance ministry because she has expertise in the field. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has agreed to train her, sources added.
Anwaar Chaudhry, MNA from NA-93 (TT Singh), was recommended by none other than Nawaz Sharif himself for his ‘untiring work’ in the PML-N Parliamentary Board during the 2013 general elections. He was a member of the party’s committee that formed the house standing committee. Additionally, he had led the PML-N youth delegation that recently visited China along with Hamza Shahbaz Sharif.
Abdul Rehman Kanju, MNA from NA-155 (Lodhran), is the head of a group of five independent lawmakers – three MPAs and two MNAs – who had defeated their rivals in the 2013 elections and later joined the PML-N unconditionally. Siddique Khan Baloch, a member of the Kanju group, had defeated PTI General Secretary Jahangir Khan Tareen.
Khusro Bakhtiar had won the 2013 elections from NA-194 (Rahim Yar Khan) as an independent candidate and later joined the PML-N. He is the only politician who could challenge former governor Makhdom Ahmed Mehmood in the district. By inducting him in the federal cabinet, the PML-N is said to be further strengthening Bakhtiar’s political clout in the region.
Advisers
Out of the three advisers to the prime minister, only one, Sartaj Aziz, has been given the portfolio of national security and foreign affairs. The other two – Amir Bux Bhutto and Amir Muqam respectively from Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa – are awaiting portfolios.
The expanded cabinet will see one more adviser. And MNA Chaudhry Saud Majeed is being tipped as the fourth adviser to the premier. Majeed is the focal person for the lawmakers from South Punjab. His proposal for development in South Punjab has been incorporated in the PSDP 2014-15. He, together with Hamza Shahbaz, had been instrumental in the PML-N’s victory in the by-elections. He has also been credited for the party’s victory in the 2013 general elections in four divisions: Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and DG Khan.
Reshuffle in portfolios
A few ministers will be inducted in the 20-member cabinet while the portfolios of some ministers are likely to be reshuffled, sources said. They added that Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, a coalition partner of the PML-N in the Centre and in Punjab, will be given a ministry in the federal cabinet.
Currently, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has the additional portfolio of law ministry, though Minister for Science & Technology Zahid Hamid looks after the ministry unofficially. Hamid, according to sources, is likely to be assigned the portfolio.
Similarly, Water and Power Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who also looks after the defence ministry, is likely to be relieved of the additional portfolio.
The PML-N is said to have reservations over Kamran Michael’s handling of the ministry for ports and shipping. He would mostly likely retain his ministry – but with some restrictions.
According to a PML-N official, almost 99% members of the party who wanted to have flag cars have been accommodated in the committees or made parliamentary secretaries.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2014.
COMMENTS (27)
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The Sharifs have a genial plan; for every post there will be two ministers and for the army two COAS in case one gets the idea of sending the Prime Minister to exile! The problem is about the security guards; who could act and knock off the members of the cabinet to uphold the constitution.
Rex Minor
Now that the Tsunami March is drawing near, more people are being accommodated so that they don't leave at the crunch time.
Such parties always betray the claims of "small cabinet" because their MNAs are not loyal to the cause, but only want perks.
Why does the media keep saying an 'expanded Federal Cabinet'? The Constitution is quite clear (Articles 91-92, in particular, see Article 91(4)): the Cabinet is made up of the Prime Minister and Federal Ministers but does not include ministers of state or advisers. The Federal Government, on the other hand, is made up of all members of government namely, the prime minister, federal ministers, ministers of state and advisers. So, what you mean to say is that there is likely to be an expansion of the federal government. A technical, legal point but important nevertheless. By international standards, Pakistan's federal government is quite small. The UK government is made up of well over a hundred ministers. And that Iain addition to the ministers in the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. So, some perspective please!
PML N need to complete 5 years term to complete the projects they have started. It seems like S Rasheed & Co (Shujaat, Pervaiz Elahi and IK) knows that their politics will finish if they get more time so they are trying their best to bring down this Gov as soon as possible. Every passing day brings new development for Pakistan.
Security is a concern which they have inherited from Musharref policies which is stopping all the growth and Army has to restore the law and order in the country. Without peace it would be difficult to achieve real growth in Pakistan.
@Adnan Siddiqi: The ruling family will only induct courtiers into their Darbar hence no chance of anyone to "wiggle" into the cabinet by others.
@Malveros: I do agree, these naunahalan e inqulab only sitting in the offices placing comments nothing else. People who have been elected by the majority should be given chance to perform, if they failed can be voted out.... these naunahal even can not win a councilor election and I am pretty sure most of them have not casted vote they are putting nasty remarks about the leadership. I think they have been trained in this manner to abuse other by their families and their leader IK.
@Chachoo: I think we shouldn't biased with anyone for his/her degree. No matter she is graduate or master she is managing 100bilion well. Till now no corruption charges, no embezzlement like PPP therefore we should give her grace till any thing happen if she is managing well no need for degree as I believe this country was destroyed more by degree holders, illiterate or less literate people are still sincere with this country. Marvi Memon if performing well we shouldn't have any objection as we cannot manage a single councilor seat these people are coming from the public by getting hundred thousands votes duly supported by may be million of sheeps....
@Ranjha Ji:
Don't despair! Even if the Federal Cabinet is expanded, it still wouldn't be able to top your party's initiative in the KPK Assembly which has a record number of parliamentary and Cabinet secretaries as well as special assistants to the CM....talk about politics of patronage.
@karachiite:
The only thing smelling fishy to you should be that despite a lapse of one year, MQM has still not been able to wiggle its way into a federal cabinet.
Not a single MNA/MPA has been fired for corruption and not a single minister fired for under performance. Either each and every legislator of PMLn has reached perfection or it's just that they don't have any accountability in their ranks.
The time at which this announcement has come smells of some thing fishy considering the recent rift in the ruling coalition. Probably a result of muk muka within the party to keep everyone happy and induct every body's favourite on some government post until the next government comes and does the same favour to their own cronies.
@Adnan Siddiqui:
Darbari-e-azam, we salute your dedication!
Bigger cabinet means more corruption. The PML govts normally last 2 years and we have entered the 2nd year.
Pakistan is its ruler's personal fiefdom. Today, it is the monarchy of sharif family.
A very good step by PML-N. We need more experts in key positions and its good to see deserving people take the top spots. I feel so proud to have voted for the PML-N!
Bigger cabinet... surely, but not a better one.
@Chachoo: In what capacity are u giving advices to the ruling party ? It's very easy to sit back and pass judgements.
@ConcernedSindhiPakistani: Marvi Memon is from Sindh. Or did u convieniently forget that.
Current 'democratic' government is following the footsteps of last 'successful democratic' government.
Marvi Memon, an MNA on a reserved seat, was recommended by Maryam Nawaz Sharif in recognition of her efforts to make the Prime Minister Youth Programme a success. In which capacity Maryam Nawaz is recommending anyone for the federal assembly?. Pakistan is a Monarchy of One Family or a democracy.? Maryam Nawaz has a degree in Humanities and she is already managing a youth loan scheme of more than 100 Billion Rupees and now the Queen of Pakistan is gaining more clout in the federal cabinet as well.
Amazing to read the stupid anti PML(N) comments. Have u forgotten what the PML (N) had promised which was to run the 1st year on a small cabinet. Then they were criticized for having a small cabinet. Now that the cabinet is being enlarged to delegate responsibilities then again criticism. An advice if u have nothing productive to say then it's better to shut your trap.
Will we have any member from Sindh to be inducted in Cabinet? Or Punjab PMLN will get all ministerial slots? Wow What a federation!
Is Shariff family giving them power to work under rules and regulations of their respective ministry. Or they are just lambs for salauter simply head counts.
Of course,And why not?After all Its time to share the loot.
What has PML-N done so far for the country?
The country has bestowed them with laurels and riches, but they have just been accommodating more cronies to share the booty.
lol - It is usually darkest just before the dawn. You gotta grow to eventually pop in coming months.