ISLAMABAD: Another two ministers were administered oath on Tuesday by Fehmida Mirza, the acting president.
Khuda Baksh Khan Rajar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) and Istaqbal Khan of the Awami National Party (ANP) were given the ministerial slots, with the former being made federal minister while the latter taking oath as a minister of state (MoS).
An informed source told Pakistan Today that Istaqbal was made MoS as per a deal struck between President Asif Ali Zardari and ANP President Asfandyar Wali Khan during a recent meeting as a quid pro quo for gaining the ANP’s support for the controversial General Sales Tax Bill.
Meanwhile, Rajar was made federal minister as a replacement for the PML-F’s minister for local government and rural development, Abdur Razzaq Thahim, who passed away recently.
Since 10 ministries are going to be handed over to the provinces during December this year, the charge of both new ministers would be announced later.
