In the offing: Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet to be sworn in on Tuesday

Portfolios will be disclosed at oath-taking ceremony

GILGIT: A six-member cabinet will be sworn in in Gilgit-Baltistan during an oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday, insiders told The Express Tribune.

The decision comes after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave his nod of approval on a summary containing the names of candidates who are likely to be appointed as ministers in the new government. The list had been forwarded to the PM Nawaz by G-B Governor Barjees Tahir.

Meet the cabinet

According to insiders, the prospective ministers are Farman Ali from Astore district, Muhammad Wakil and Janbaz Khan from Diamer district, Ibrahim Sanai from Ghanche district, Dr Muhammad Iqbal from Gilgit and Rani Atika from Hunza.

The governor will administer the oath to the ministers in Gilgit. Rani Atika, wife of Mir Ghazanfar – governor hopeful – is the only minister who was appointed to the assembly on a women’s seat on a PML-N ticket.

Deciding portfolios

According to a party insider, portfolios have been decided but will be disclosed during the oath-taking ceremony. “These details will come to the surface in due course,” he said.

However, another government official said Iqbal will be appointed minister for health while Sanai is expected to become minister for planning.

Phase-wise

Chief Minister Hafeezur Rahman said the formation of government will be completed in two phases. Talking to The Express Tribune earlier this week, Rahman said each district will be given representation in the cabinet to keep a better connection with the people.

“In the first phase, ministers will be appointed while in the second phase advisers will be appointed,” he added.

With 22 seats, PML–N has emerged as the single largest party in G–B in elections held across the region on June 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2015.