ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly decided to expand the federal cabinet as several key ministries and posts still remain vacant.
The premier has decided to include prominent party leaders from Karachi particularly Ali Zaidi and Faisal Vawda, while disgruntled party leader Aamir Liaquat Hussain is also in the running for a place in the federal cabinet.
Sources informed that the decision to expand the cabinet was taken yesterday, but the new ministers will be sworn in after the presidential elections on September 4. Around eight to ten ministries are likely to be inducted in the federal cabinet. Azam Swati and Ali Amin Gandapur are also likely to included.
Imran Khan had unveiled a 21-member cabinet including sixteen ministers and five advisors after he was sworn in. However, several prominent ministries such as transportation, power division, privatisation, national food security, statistics and water resources still remain without ministers.
The prime minister has decided to retain the influential interior ministry with himself and appointed Shehryar Afridi as state minister of interior.
It may be mentioned that Aamir Liaquat had shown resentment after he was reportedly snubbed from a meeting convened at the Governor House and said that he was being sidelined from the party.
The television personality had also alleged that Imran Khan had told him that Karachi had no importance for him, and he is not indebted to party chief for his success as he won the elections due to his own popularity rather than the support of the party.
He also accused the PM of ignoring Karachi and criticised him for not even paying a visit to Quaid’s Mausoleum after taking charge as prime minister. The remarks led to strong resentment from several party leaders.
Another party leader Aftab Jehangir has also expressed dissatisfaction with the party leadership for being sidelined. The MNA from Karachi urged presidential candidate Arif Alvi to intervene and solve the problems of Karachi.
