Gilgit-Baltistan cabinet sworn in

GILGIT:

A six-member cabinet took oath in Gilgit on Tuesday amidst reports that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Akbar Taban refused to accept the portfolio of senior minister.

According to a notification, seven ministers were to take oath. These were Farman Ali from Astore district, Muhammad Wakil, Sobia Moqaddam and Janbaz Khan from Diamer district, Ibrahim Sanai from Ghanche district, Dr Muhammad Iqbal from Gilgit and Akbar Taban from Skardu.

However, Taban, who hails from Skardu and had to be made senior minister, did not take oath. He reportedly said he would decide over accepting the portfolio after meeting the prime minister. According to a PML-N lawmaker, Taban wanted to become the governor as people from Skardu thought the post of governor should be given to a lawmaker from their area which is the second largest town of G-B.

The final cabinet was decided by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose party won 22 out of 33 seats in the assembly in the June 8 polls.

Among other members of the cabinet was Moqaddam, who is the only minister to be appointed to the assembly on a women’s seat on a PML-N ticket.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2015.