18-member Caretaker Federal Cabinet takes oath
President Alvi administers oath to newly appointed caretaker ministers, Caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar attends ceremony
Ministers include Murtaza Solangi, Saif, Sarfraz Bugti, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Jamal Shah, Lt. Gen. (retd) Anwar Ali Haider & others
Air Marshal (retd) Farhat Hussain Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema & Dr. Waqar Masood Khan appointed as advisers to the Caretaker PM
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
President Dr. Arif Alvi on Thursday administered oath to members of newly appointed Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s cabinet. 18-members have taken oath caretaker minister; meanwhile three advisors have also been appointed.
The oath-taking ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran at the President House in Islamabad, which was attended by Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and others.
The federal ministers who took oath included Murtaza Solangi, Dr. Umar Saif, Senator Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Bugti, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Gohar Ijaz, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Jamal Shah, Dr. Nadeem Jan, Aneeq Ahmed, Muhammad Sami, Ahmed Irfan Aslam, Lieutenant General (retd) Anwar Ali Haider, Muhammad Ali, Khalil George, Madad Ali Sindhi.
Meanwhile Air Marshal (retd) Farhat Hussain Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema and Dr. Waqar Masood Khan have been appointed as advisers to the caretaker prime minister.
Earlier in the day, Murtaza Solangi told a private TV channel that he had been offered the portfolio of the information ministry, which the senior journalist accepted.
According to a private TV channel, notable personalities among the newly sworn-in cabinet members included Jalil Abbas Jilani as the Foreign Minister, who brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to the table. Sarfraz Bugti, the Interior Minister, is expected to oversee matters related to internal security and law enforcement. Meanwhile, Shamshad Akhtar, renowned for his expertise in financial matters, assumed the role of Finance Minister. Lt-Gen (retd) Syed Anwar Ali Haider took charge as the Defense Minister, entrusted with maintaining the country’s national security during this transition phase.
In this caretaker government, several pivotal portfolios were allocated to individuals with diverse expertise. Ahmed Irfan Aslam was appointed Law Minister, responsible for upholding legal matters and ensuring a smooth functioning of the legal system. Murtaza Solangi took the reins of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, while Khalil George assumed the role of Human Rights Minister, signaling the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights.
Notably, Shahid Ashraf Tarar, who had served as the Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), resigned from his position earlier in the day to assume the role of Communications Minister. His move demonstrates the cabinet’s focus on efficient communication channels during this transition period.
Gohar Ejaz’s appointment as the Minister of Textiles reflects the importance of the textile industry in Pakistan’s economy. Dr. Nadeem Jan’s role as Health Minister is of particular significance amid the ongoing global health challenges. Dr. Umar Saif, a well-known figure in the field of Information Technology, is expected to drive digital advancements as the IT Minister. Muhammad Ali took charge of the Energy Ministry, a crucial sector for the nation’s growth. Lastly, Aneeq Ahmed was entrusted with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which plays a pivotal role in ensuring harmony and religious tolerance within the country.
Apart from this, Sami Saeed has been given the portfolio of Planning and Development and Madad Ali Sindhi the Ministry of Education.