ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in talks with coalition party leaders about the formation of his cabinet.
PM Shehbaz met separately with PPP leaders and former president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto- Zardari, Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) President and JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MQM-Pakistan leaders, BNP-Mengal Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, BAP parliamentary leader Khalid Magsi, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Chief Shahzain
During the meetings, the premier expressed his determination to address all public problems collectively in a spirit of unity, cooperation, and mutual trust.
According to sources close to the situation, the PPP is unwilling to join the cabinet, claiming that it would better support the government from the treasury benches.
According to sources, one faction within the party favors joining the cabinet in order to strengthen the coalition, while another believes that the party should instead focus on electoral reforms in order to hold an early election.
However, the final decision will be made in a few days based on the wishes of the top leadership.
According to sources, the PPP is more interested in constitutional offices in parliament and will join the cabinet in the second phase. The party is united in its desire to replace National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf with Raja Pervez Ashraf and Syed Naveed Qamar as its candidates.
They claimed that Ashraf was a strong contender, while the JUI-Maulana F’s Asad Mehmood, the son of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, could be the deputy speaker.
Zardari advises patience with the PTI
According to sources, PM Shehbaz insisted on the PPP joining the cabinet during the meeting with Zardari and Bilawal, but Zardari said the party would make a decision within a day or two. He also advised the prime minister to refrain from filing political cases against PTI leaders and to promote reconciliation and tolerance. He advised him that the government should not give the impression that it is pursuing a vengeance policy.
Furthermore, Zardari advised Shehbaz Sharif to let Imran Khan do whatever he wanted because any government action against him would turn him into a “hero.” He had previously advised him, however, to take action against the former speaker or deputy speaker for violating the Constitution.
Who will be in charge of the cabinet?
If the PPP joins, the federal cabinet will consist of 12 ministers from the PML-N, seven from the PPP, four from the JUI-F, two from the MQM-P, and one from each of the BNP-Mengal and the ANP. Mohsin Dawar, Aslam Bhootani, and Tariq Bashir Cheema of the PML-Q may also be included in the cabinet.
Khawaja Asif, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khurram Dastgir, Ahsan Iqbal, Maryam Aurangzeb, Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Mian Javed Latif, and Rana Sanaullah are all expected to join the cabinet from the PML-N.
Senators Sherry Rehman, Mustafa Nawaz Kohar, Syed Naveed Qamar, and Shazia Marri of the PPP are also being considered. Senator Azam Nazir Tarar’s name is also being considered for Leader of the House in the Senate.
