New Pakistan PM delays formation of Cabinet

Islamabad: Newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday postponed the formation of new Cabinet for a day after holding consultations with ousted premier Nawaz Sharif.

The oath-taking of the federal cabinet was expected on Wednesday but the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) failed to finalise a team.

Mr Abbasi was elected as Prime Minister on Tuesday to replace Nawaz Sharif who was disqualified by the Supreme Court last week.

Mr Abbasi travelled to Murree and held a meeting with his party leader Nawaz Sharif at the latter’s residence. Apart from the consultations over the federal cabinet, key political issues were discussed in the meeting between Mr Abbasi and Nawaz Sharif.

Sources said the formation was discussed in the meeting that was also joined by PML-N leaders Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Shehbaz Sharif.

Insiders suggest former finance minister Ishaq Dar and former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan are unlikely to feature in the new cabinet.

However, the other names discussed by the PML-N leadership give an impression that mere cosmetic changes will be made in the cabinet, and old faces were likely to dominate the new cabinet.

Sources said PML-N stalwarts Khawaja Mohammed Asif and Abdul Qadir Baloch were aspirants of the ministry of Defence.

But the party is contemplating to hand the ministry of Interior to Mr Baloch, as Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s induction in the new cabinet was in doubts.

The name of Abdul Qayyum was also discussed for the ministries of Defence as well as the ministry of Defence Production. About the slot of Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs, the party is considering Sartaj Aziz once again. PM Abbasi wishes to keep petroleum portfolio, with himself.