Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Wednesday and discussed the proposed expansion of the federal cabinet after the budget session, and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani later joined them for detailed discussion on a host of issues. A source told Pakistan Today that Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar would be handed the Water and Power Ministry upon his return from a visit to Russia, while State Foreign Affairs Minister Hina Rabbani Khar would be elevated to the status of federal foreign affairs minister. The matter of allocation of portfolios to Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani and Amir Muqam was also discussed in the meeting, added the source.
Muqam had refused to take charge of the Production Ministry allocated to him after being inducted into the cabinet as a federal minister, while Bijrani is a minister without a portfolio as his Industries Ministry was allocated to Senior Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. A source told Pakistan Today that the duo also discussed the upcoming visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Later, General Kayani also joined the meeting and the security situation in the country and the region, as well as the reconciliation process in Afghanistan came under discussion. The military and political leadership made it clear that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were in safe hands and were working under a methodical command and control system. They said Pakistan did not need any third country to protect its nuclear assets.
everybody knows who runs the show…
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