The new federal cabinet that was expected to be sworn in today has been delayed until tomorrow owing to PML-N’s failure to finalise the allocation of ministries. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.
Most of the members of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif cabinet are expected to retain their portfolios.
Sources are reported to have stated that former States and Frontier Regions minister Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch may be given the interior ministry portfolio.
Although it had been stated earlier that Nisar will not be a part of the new cabinet, this may not be the case now. Nisar may be given the post of foreign minister, sources have informed.
Former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday took oath as the new prime minister of the country at the President House Islamabad.
Abbasi took the oath of his office at a solemn ceremony, which had armed forces chiefs, governors, members of the parliament, and prominent political and social figures in presence.
President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath to Abbasi. He swept the election with a majority vote, securing 221 of 339 votes.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)’s Naveed Qamar secured 47 votes, whereas Sheikh Rashid bagged 33. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sahibzada Tariqullah managed to secure only four votes.
He was elected as the new prime minister following the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court last week.