Gilgit-Baltistan’s first cabinet sworn in, governer takes oath

ISLAMABAD: At least six ministers of the first provincial Cabinet of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have taken oath at the Governor House in Gilgit on Saturday.

The governor of GB, Dr Wazir Shamma Khalid, administered oath to the ministers, five of whom belonged to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) while one Haji Gul Bar belonged to the Jamiat Ulemae- Islam (JUI-F). Shakeel Ahmed, Muhammed Jaffer, Muhammed Ismail, Dr Ali Madad Sher and Muhammed Ali Akhtar belonged to the PPP which formed a government after winning the majority of seats in the general polls held under the new self-governance order during November 2009.

The advisors, Aftab Haider and Sadia Zia, will take up their oaths later. Chief Minister Gilgit- Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah has announced eight-member cabinet for Gilgit-Baltistan that consists of six ministers and two advisers. Elaborate arrangements had been made for the oath-taking ceremony by the cabinet wing of the Gilgit-Baltistan government as hundreds of PPP workers and senior civil and military officials were present at the ceremony.

Earlier, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah has announced an eightmember cabinet for Gilgit- Baltistan that consists of six ministers and two advisors. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Watto and Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Shah were also present on the occasion.