Prime Minister’s 19-member federal cabinet’s portfolios announced

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s 19-member federal cabinet were handed their portfolios in early hours of Tuesday.

The decision to appoint the cabinet, comprising 18 federal ministers and one minister of state, followed a summary sent to the president. This process aligns with clause 1 of Article 92 of the Pakistan constitution, which mandates the president to appoint federal ministers and ministers of state from members of parliament based on the prime minister’s advice.

A press release from the Information Ministry detailed the ministries assigned to the federal ministers and the minister of state. Khawaja Asif will assume the role of Minister of Defence, Defence Production, and Aviation.

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Meanwhile, Muhammad Aurangzeb will take charge of the Ministry of Finance, entrusted with managing the nation’s finances and economic policies. Mohsin Naqvi will lead the Ministry of Interior and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANP). He previously served as Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab.

Ishaq Dar was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with expectations of playing a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy and strengthening international relations.

Meanwhile, Musadik Malik is designated as the Petroleum Minister and will lead the Ministry of Energy, entrusted with addressing the country’s energy needs and exploring avenues for sustainable energy production.

Among other appointments, Atta Tarar was named the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ahsan Iqbal will serve as the Minister of Planning, and Azam Nazeer Tarar assumed the role of Minister of Law and Justice.

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Similarly, Rana Tanveer Hussain will manage industries and production, Azam Nazeer Tarar will handle law and justice and human rights, while Chaudhry Salik Hussain will manage human resource development and overseas Pakistanis.

Abdul Aleem Khan will oversee privatisation and serve on the Board of Investment, Jam Kamal Khan will manage commerce affairs, and Amir Muqam took charge of states and frontier regions, national heritage, and culture.

Meanwhile, Awais Leghari was assigned the railways ministry, Attaullah Tarar will manage information and broadcasting, and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui is responsible for science and technology, federal education, and professional training.

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh will oversee maritime affairs, Riaz Hussain Pirzada will handle housing and works, and Musadik Malik will manage petroleum and power sectors. While Muhammad Aurangzeb is entrusted with finance and revenue matters, Ahad Khan Cheema took on the responsibilities of economic affairs and establishment.