PML-N bigwigs vying for the Foreign Ministry

Several Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and prominent figures attached with the party are on the look-out for important slots in the coveted Foreign Ministry.

According to details, individuals in the party are lobbying hard for the all-important ministry even though they have no way of knowing what the party leadership may decide.

Even Ishaq Dar, the man that shall be appointed as finance minister, has shown interest in becoming the next foreign minister of Pakistan. Ishaq wanted the Finance Ministry to be looked after by Sartaj Aziz as an advisor, party sources told Pakistan Today.

Interestingly, sources said that Ishaq Dar has been in preparing the federal budget of 2013-14 as the next finance minister.

Sartaj Aziz himself is also interested in resuming his work under the new PML-N government and is eyeing the slot of foreign minister. He was seen with Nawaz Sharif when the party chief interacted with the foreign media soon after his thumping victory in May 11 elections.

Interestingly, another central party leader Chaudhry Nisar, too, has set his eyes on the portfolio of foreign minister. He has a degree in International Relations.

The final hopeful for this ministry is Ahsan Iqbal.

The portfolio of foreign minister is an important one for any government, given the dynamics of politics in Pakistan

It is also important because the entire region is about to witness several changes and handling the United States, India and Afghanistan in the post-withdrawal years would be a tough job.

The Foreign Ministry serves as a bridge between the GHQ and political leadership of the day. The Sharifs would be looking to appoint someone as foreign minister as well as US ambassador whose first and last loyalty is with the central party leadership.

Apart from the top office, there is no shortage of persons with long-time affiliation with the party vying for the US ambassadorship. The names making rounds in the power circles are none other than Riaz Khokhar, Tariq Fatmi, both known for their support for the PML-N in the past.

Again, Shahmshad Ahmad, who for sometime had been supportive of PTI, now has jumped into the fray.

Muhammad Mehdi, who has been involved in managing party’s foreign desk, is longing for a role with the ministry as well.

However, according to some recent reports, caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Nijam Sethi is among the candidates who have shown interest in office of US ambassador.