Names for federal cabinet finalised

ISLAMABAD: The PML-N leadership on Thursday delayed its final decision on nominating the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to contest the NA-120, Lahore, by-election but finalised the names for the Federal Cabinet.

The Federal Cabinet, which would be sworn by President Mamnoon Hussain this morning, would see Khawaja Muhammad Asif as the first foreign minister, while Ahsan Iqbal would look after the Ministry of Interior.The PML-N did not officially announce the names and portfolios of the cabinet but sources said Senator Ishaq Dar would be the finance minister.

Chaudhry Nisar Khan refused to become a part of the federal cabinet which would be a mix of old and new faces. However, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would continue to play his active role in the party’s decisions and organisation.

Senior PML-N leaders led by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif met in Murree on Thursday for the second day to finalise the federal ministers and portfolios of cabinet members but remained undecided about taking a final decision on nominating Shahbaz Sharif for the prestigious slot of the prime minister till the completion of government’s tenure.

The meeting, besides others, was also attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Sharif, Ahsan Iqbal and Pervaiz Rashid.

Marriyum Aurangzeb would again continue her responsibilities as minister of state for information.Two PML-N parliamentarians Talal Chaudhry and Danyal Aziz, who have been vocal in support of Nawaz Sharif and criticizing Imran Khan outside Election Commission would also be made ministers of state.

The PML-N leadership also approved the name of Abdur Rehman Kanju, who was elected from Lodhran, for his inclusion in the cabinet as minister of state. The consultative meeting also decided that the Central Working Committee of the PML-N would meet next week in which Nawaz Sharif would step down as the party president. He would be given the ceremonial title of party’s founder or ‘Rahbar’. It is expected that Shahbaz Sharif will preside over the party after Nawaz.  Khurram Dastagir is likely to be the defence minister. Senator Mushahidullah will also be included in the cabinet.   The expected strength of the cabinet is 46.