ISLAMABAD – In the upcoming cabinet extension phase, newly-elected Senator Dr Asim is likely to get the portfolio of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, which is currently under the charge of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani while Makhdoom Shahabuddin’s portfolio of Textile Ministry could also changed to minister for Foreign Affairs.
A source in the government told Pakistan Today that newly unopposed-elected Asim, who is recognised for his closeness with President Asif Zardari, would take charge of the Petroleum Ministry in which he had worked as an adviser in 2008. The source said Nazar Muhammad Gondal, former agriculture minister, might be given the portfolio of the Ministry of Textiles as incumbent textile minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin could be made foreign affairs minister.
“The MQM can get the portfolios of the Overseas Pakistanis, Ports and Shipping,” the source said, adding that the MQM was insisting either for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Water and Power. The source said some top US functionaries were also lobbying for Shahabuddin as he had been classmate of Bill Clinton. The source said Qamar Zaman Kaira may get the portfolio of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
In a related development, Senator Raza Rabbani, minister for inter-provincial coordination has also relinquished additional charge of the Ministry of Human Rights and that portfolio might go to Abdul Qadir Patel, Noor Alam Khan or some other young parliamentarian from the PPP. President Asif Ali Zardari has called his close aide Faisal Raza Abidi, who is on a visit to Panama, back home and some insiders claim that Senator Abidi could also be inducted in the federal cabinet in the forthcoming extension phase.
“The final touches to the second batch of ministers will be given once the PML-Q gives final answer on PPP’s offer to join the coalition government,” said the source.
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