31 federal ministers took oath today more than a week after Shehbaz Sharif became the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan. After the oath-taking ceremony, the federal cabinet portfolios were revealed.
According to details, 14 federal ministers are from PML-N, nine from PPP, four from JUI-F, two are from MQM-P and one belongs to Jamhoori Watan Party.
Here is the list of the ministers and the portfolios assigned to them so far:
- Rana Sanaullah Interior Minister
- Miftah Ismail Finance Minister
- Hina Rabbani Khar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Ahsan Iqbal Planning, Development and Special Initiatives
- Marriyum Aurangzeb Information and Broadcasting
- Azam Nazeer Tarar Law and Justice
- Ameenul Haq Information and Technology
- Maulana Asad Communications
- Mufti Shakoor Religious Affairs
- Talha Mehmood SAFRON
- Maulana Abdul Wasey Housing and Construction
- Shazia Marri BISP
- Qadir Patel Ministry of Health
- Khawaja Saad Rafique Railways
- Tariq Bashir Cheema Food Security
- Israr Tareen Defence Production
Apart from them, President Dr. Arif Alvi also approved the appointment of Qamar Zaman Kaira, Engr Amir Muqam, and Aun Chaudhry as advisors to the prime minister.
Moreover, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has scheduled the first cabinet meeting for tomorrow at 10 am at the PM House.
Read more: Here are Pakistan’s new federal ministers
Pakistan’s reaction to new federal ministers
Important to note, the majority of the social media users are reacting negatively to the new federal ministers. For instance, according to netizens, the appointment of Abdul Qadir as Federal Minister for the National Health Department is a downgrade. Previously, Dr. Faisal Sultan held the portfolio. He is a medical expert and is credited with impressively managing Pakistan’s Covid response.
Meanwhile, Qadir Patel was previously a member of the provincial assembly. He was also a member of the national assembly in 2008. Furthermore, he has no medical expertise. On the other hand, there are corruption cases lodged against Qadir Patel.
From Dr Faisal Sultan to Abdul Qadir Patel as Federal Minister for National Health Services.
What a fall for Pakistan!#امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/09kALJpD3F
— Yasir Chaudhry (@yacirchaudhry) April 19, 2022
Similarly, Twitteratis were also not happy with PPP’s Shazia Marri receiving the portfolio of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). She is being compared to Dr. Sania Nishtar who previously held the portfolio.
What a shame!!! Sania is a cardiologist, PhD from King’s College London. Chaired WHO high-Level Commission, Member of World Economic Forum. Pak’s nominee for DG of WHO. Replaced by BA Pass Shazia Marri. Phir log kehtain ke tum biased ho. #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/9bDW84JVQh
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) April 19, 2022