Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan announces a 21-member Cabinet
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced his Cabinet comprising 21 members, the majority of whom previously held key posts in the regime of former military dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. Out of the 21 names announced, 16 will be Ministers while five others will perform their duties as Advisers to the Prime Minister, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said yesterday. Here's more.
Qureshi gets Foreign Ministry, Umer allotted Finance
According to list shared by Chaudhry on his Twitter account, Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been appointed as Foreign Minister, Pervaiz Khattak as Defense Minister, and Asad Umer as Finance Minister. Qureshi was the Foreign Minister from 2008 to 2011 under PPP government. Asad Umar is the son of former Lt Gen Mohammad Umer who was part of Pakistan Army during 1971 war with India.
Newly-announced Cabinet is expected to take oath tomorrow
The newly-announced Cabinet is expected to take oath tomorrow at the President's House. At least 12 members of Khan's Cabinet had served under General (retd) Musharraf. The new Cabinet also includes a former spokesperson of Musharraf and his Attorney. Reportedly, five of the new Cabinet members, including Khattak and Qureshi, had served as Ministers in past Pakistan Peoples' Party governments.
Here's the list of all Cabinet Ministers
Three women in Khan's Cabinet
Three women, including Shireen Mazari, Zubaida Jalal, and Fehmida Mirza are also part of the Cabinet. The five Advisors who have the status of Ministers include known faces like former banker Ishrat Hussain, businessman Abdul Razzak Dawood, and Babar Awan.
Khan's government, third consecutive democratic government in Pakistan since 2008
According to Pakistan's Constitution, the size of the federal cabinet should be not more than 11% of the total strength of the National Assembly and the Senate. Khan's government is the third consecutive democratic government in Pakistan since 2008 when Gen Musharraf announced elections after serving as President from 2001 to 2008 following a bloodless coup in 1999.
