- Nisar to look after defence, Ahsan to get Foreign Ministry, Dar to manage finance, Abbasi to run Petroleum Ministry
With the National Assembly session already summoned on June 1, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has almost finalised the names of his cabinet, being called by the leaguers as the prime minister-in waiting’s “dream team”.
The PML-N has clinched 144 seats in the National Assembly while with the joining of around 18 independents and merger of some smaller parties, its strength may soar to the magical number of 190 plus.
A well-placed source has confided in Pakistan Today that Nawaz had finalised the name of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan as the defence minister keeping in view his expertise and experience with the armed forces.
“Moreover, the biggest surprise for many would be the appointment of Ahsan Iqbal against the key post of minister for foreign affairs. Though Ahsan has no experience in dealing with international affairs, his appointment is being made keeping in view his long services to the party and the liking Nawaz has developed for him,” the source added.
The source added that in order to avoid any tussle between the key ministries of water and power and petroleum and natural resources, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is being handed over the Petroleum Ministry.
Aabasi has a very good understanding with Khwaja Mohammad Asif who would serve as the minister for water and power.
“This decision has been made to avoid the undesirable tussle that erupted between the PPP’s water and power minister Ahmed Mukhtar and Dr Asim Hussain, the adviser for petroleum and natural resources. The tussle between the two ministers was being dubbed as a major cause of the PPP government’s failure to control load shedding, which finally damaged the PPP the most in recent polls,” the source added.
The source added that Dr Abdul Qadir Baloch, former Balochistan corps commander, was likely to be handed over the affairs of Ministry of Interior or he would be accommodated as speaker/deputy speaker of the National Assembly. Senator Ishaq Dar is likely to be given the important portfolio of Finance Ministry.
Another source in the PML-N said the caretaker minister for water and power Dr Musaddiq Malik held an extraordinary briefing for the PML-N leadership on Tuesday, including the minister in-waiting for water and power, Khwaja Asif.
“After the meeting, the PML-N leadership was so much impressed by Dr Musaddiq’s command over the ministry’s affairs that he was offered to accept his appointment as member of the advisory body to the prime minister on the government’s plan to end the power load shedding,” said the source, adding that Dr Musaddiq did not respond to the offer immediately, but it is likely that he would take a positive decision soon.
The advisory board comprises top businessmen and technocrats of the country which is being headed by former finance minister-cum-banker Shaukat Tareen.
Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso would be holding a farewell dinner for the outgoing federal cabinet members today (Wednesday) at the Prime Minister’s House.
"…Though Ahsan has no experience in dealing with international affairs, his appointment is being made keeping in view his long services to the party and the liking Nawaz has developed for him…"
So, appointment on one of the key posts is going to be made on the basis of personal liking of Nawaz instead of on merit. Just wonderful.
I like him due to his fantastic command over the Urdu language. Maybe the next time we have a meeting with a foreign dignitary–we won't need to translate Chinese, Russian, or German into English!
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