Shehbaz’s Cabinet Likely To Be Sworn In Today

The swearing-in ceremony for the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is anticipated today (Monday), amidst a backdrop of political and economic challenges. The recently-elected President, Asif Ali Zardari, is scheduled to administer the oath to the cabinet members at a ceremony set to take place at 3 pm in the President House.

In an initial phase, the Prime Minister has opted to commence operations with a limited cabinet, with plans for expansion in the subsequent phase. Reports suggest that Aurangzeb Khan, the CEO of HBL, is likely to oversee the Ministry of Finance, while the Interior Ministry is expected to be entrusted to Mohsin Naqvi.

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Former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is reportedly slated for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tariq Fatemi is anticipated to be appointed as a special assistant to the Prime Minister on foreign affairs. Other assignments include Khawaja Asif for the Defence Ministry, Attaullah Tarar for the Information Ministry, and PML-N Senator Azam Tarar overseeing the Ministry of Law.

Shaza Fatima is expected to be named the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, while the Petroleum Ministry portfolio may go to Musadik Malik. Additional cabinet inductees include former bureaucrat Ahad Cheema, former Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal, and PML-Quaid’s Chaudhry Salik Hussain. Moreover, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) are anticipated to receive representation in the cabinet.