KP’s new cabinet to take oath today: who’s joining the team?

PESHAWAR: The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has officially unveiled the summary of its new provincial cabinet, which will be sworn in today at a ceremony at the Governor House in Peshawar. The event is likely to be held at 3 PM today.

The new cabinet will consist of 10 ministers, two advisors, and a special assistant, with names from across political factions and regions. The provincial government, led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, is expected to focus on stability and governance in the first phase of its tenure.

KEY APPOINTMENTS IN THE NEW CABINET

The potential list of cabinet members has been revealed, including both fresh faces and returning political figures. Among the notable appointments are:

Mina Khan Afridi, Arshad Ayub Khan, Amjad Ali, and Aftab Alam will serve as cabinet ministers. These figures have previously held key positions in the provincial government.

Fazal Shakoor Khan, Khaliq-ur-Rehman, Riaz Khan, and Syed Fakhar Jahan are also set to be part of the cabinet, reinforcing a diverse representation from across the province.

Aqibullah, the brother of former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, and Faisal Khan, the brother of former provincial minister Shahram Tarakai, will also return to the cabinet.

In addition to the ministers, Muzammil Aslam, Taj Muhammad, and Shafi Jan have been appointed as special assistants to the Chief Minister.

THE CABINET FORMATION PROCESS

The formation of the cabinet follows consultations between Chief Minister Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, with Kundi advising that the cabinet initially be kept small. According to sources, the first phase of the cabinet will feature more than 10 ministers, with further expansion expected in the near future.

In a statement earlier this week, CM Afridi confirmed that the cabinet had been finalised, and the official announcement would be made soon.

EXPECTED FOCUS AREAS

The cabinet, with its mix of seasoned politicians and new appointees, is expected to focus on key issues such as provincial development, security, and economic reforms. The involvement of several experienced politicians, such as Mina Khan Afridi and Aftab Alam, indicates continuity in policy direction, while fresh faces could bring new perspectives on governance and provincial administration.

The formal swearing-in ceremony will take place later today at the Governor House in Peshawar. Governor Kundi has reportedly signed the summary of the new cabinet as well. With Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political future now in the hands of the newly formed cabinet, all eyes will be on how quickly the government can move forward with its agenda and meet the expectations of the people of the province.