Shehbaz govt expands federal cabinet as 27 new members take oath

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government expanded its federal cabinet as 24 new federal ministers, state ministers, and advisers took oath at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, and senior officials.

The new appointments include 12 federal ministers, nine ministers of state, and three advisers, strengthening the coalition's representation in the government.

The newly sworn-in federal ministers include Hanif Abbasi, Moeen Watto, Mustafa Kamal, Sardar Yousuf, Aurangzeb Katchi, Rana Mubashir, Raza Hayat Hiraj, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Shaza Fatima, Junaid Anwar, and Khalid Magsi.

State ministers inducted into the cabinet include Talal Chaudhry, Barrister Aqeel Malik, Malik Rasheed, Kheal Das Kohistani, Abdul Rehman Kanju, Bilal Azhar Kayani, Mukhtar Bharath, Aun Chaudhry, and Wajiha Qamar.

Additionally, Muhammad Ali, Tauqir Shah, and Pervez Khattak were sworn in as special advisers.

Three members—Imran Shah, Shezra, and Armghan—were unable to attend due to traffic delays. Sources suggest potential portfolio changes, with Abbasi expected to oversee Railways and Kamal likely to take charge of Science and Technology.