Islamabad: Following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s consultations with close aides regarding the formation of the federal cabinet, key ministries are reportedly set to be assigned to prominent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) figures. According to sources, Khawaja Asif is expected to receive the defence ministry, Ishaq Dar may be appointed as the foreign affairs minister, and Muhammad Aurangzeb, a renowned banker, is likely to be designated as the finance minister.
Ahsan Iqbal, PML-N’s Secretary General, is anticipated to be given the ministries of planning and development, as well as privatisation. Attaullah Tarar is expected to be appointed as the information and broadcasting minister, while Rana Sanaullah, a former interior minister, may become the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on interior affairs.
The sources further revealed that Dr Shamshad Akhtar, a former caretaker finance minister, could be appointed as the SAPM on finance. Other expected appointments include Amir Muqam for the water resources ministry and Musadik Malik for the petroleum-cum-energy ministry. Mustafa Kamal from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is likely to become the minister for science and technology, and Faisal Sabzwari may assume the role of the minister for ports and shipping.
While the prime minister is expected to announce the federal cabinet’s names in the coming days, no names have emerged from the strongest ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The PPP had earlier announced that it would not be part of the federal cabinet or hold key ministries when forming a coalition with the PML-N after the 2024 elections.
The distribution of ministries among coalition partners aims to form a diverse and inclusive federal cabinet to address various challenges and responsibilities effectively. The final list of appointments will provide insights into the distribution of portfolios among different political figures and parties in the ruling coalition.
Digital Content Associate | Research Analyst | Research Writer | Project Management and M&E Expert
