President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to administer the oath of the federal cabinet today at 3 pm, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif opting to keep the cabinet size restricted to 12 to 14 members.
Initially, key portfolios such as Finance, Foreign Affairs, Energy, Planning, and Interior will be assigned, along with other significant ministries like Information and Privatization.
Several prominent figures including Ishaq Dar, Attaullah Tarr, Khawaja Asif, and Ahsan Iqbal are set to join the federal cabinet. Additionally, Ameer Muqam, Ohs Leghari, and Jam Kamal will be included, with former Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, Mohammad Aurangzeb, and Shamshad Akhtar also possibly being appointed.
Umar Saif may serve as a special assistant with the status of Minister of State. The government’s allies, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan and the Muslim League (Q), are expected to receive ministries as well.
In the reshuffle, Ishaq Dar is likely to take on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahsan Iqbal the Ministry of Planning, Khawaja Asif the Ministry of Defense, Attaullah Tarar the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Azam Nazir Tarar the Ministry of Law, and Sarader Yusuf the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Other members such as Amir Maqam, Owais Leghari, Jam Kamal, and Ahad Cheema are also anticipated to be part of the cabinet, with former caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi potentially being appointed to the Interior Ministry.
The inauguration of the new federal cabinet is slated to occur during the oath-taking ceremony at 3 pm, officiated by the newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari.
