Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to expand his cabinet and it is said that 4 to 5 new ministers will probably be inducted in the cabinet in the coming week.
It could not be confirmed whether anyone from the PPP or other allied parties will also join the cabinet.
One of the prime minister’s close aides, Dr Tauqeer Shah, could be made part of the cabinet. He has served as the prime minister’s principal secretary in the current and PDM governments.
Dr Tauqeer is currently serving at the World Bank and the prime minister has recalled him. Sources in the Prime Minister’s Office told Dawn that Dr Tauqeer met the prime minister on Wednesday upon his arrival in Pakistan.
Other possible candidates for cabinet membership include Hanif Abbasi, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Barrister Aqeel Malik and Talal Chaudhry.
Speaking to Dawn, Barrister Aqeel Malik confirmed that he was being given a federal ministry, but he did not know which ministry he would be given.
Sources close to Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also confirmed his inclusion in the cabinet.
According to sources, during the last meeting of the PML-N parliamentary party, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had hinted that some new faces would be included in the cabinet and the portfolios of some ministers could be reshuffled.
The prime minister is expected to meet the new potential ministers before joining the cabinet, with Senator Khalil Tahir Sindhu and Ikhtiar Wali also believed to be under consideration for the ministry.
It may be recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s 19-member cabinet was formed on March 11, 2024.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s portfolio is likely to be changed, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already announced that no member of his cabinet is getting salary and other benefits under the government’s austerity measures.
Meanwhile, yesterday, the federal cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister gave in-principle approval to amend Clause 3 (7) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act.
The committee also recommended approval of the rules and regulations for the appointment of Information Group officers as press officers in diplomatic missions abroad. The cabinet approved the registration/recognition of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Thatta.
The cabinet approved the reconstitution of a committee to determine the prices of life-saving medical equipment in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in a human rights case and the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health.
The cabinet also approved sending the National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Authority Bill to Parliament.
The cabinet approved the decisions taken in the December 18 meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee and ratified the decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Government Institutions on December 24.
