Following days of deliberation and consultation on its formation, the Pakistan federal cabinet is poised to take oath on Monday, as reported by Geo News, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to be held at the President’s House, where newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari will administer the oath to the cabinet members.
Initially intending to keep the cabinet compact, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to expand it gradually, with more ministers expected to be inducted in the second phase, according to the sources.
The sources revealed key appointments within the cabinet, including former finance minister Ishaq Dar slated to assume the role of foreign minister. Tariq Fatemi will be sworn in as a special assistant to the prime minister on foreign affairs.
Aurangzeb Khan will oversee the Finance Ministry, while Mohsin Naqvi, former Punjab Chief Minister, is set to helm the Interior Ministry. Azam Tarar, a veteran Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator, will be entrusted with the Ministry of Law, while Attaullah Tarar will serve as the information minister. Khawaja Asif will take charge of the Defense Ministry.
Other notable appointments include Musadik Malik as the Petroleum Minister and Shaza Fatima Khawaja as the head of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
Ahad Cheema will join as an adviser to the prime minister for the Establishment Division, while former Balochistan CM Jam Kamal and PML-Quaid’s Chaudhry Salik Hussain will also be part of the federal cabinet.
Expectations suggest the inclusion of Abdul Aleem Khan from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and PML-N politician Amir Muqam in the cabinet. Additionally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is slated to be allocated two ministries.
The oath ceremony comes a week after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the 24th premier of Pakistan, with President Zardari assuming office as the head of state a day prior.
