PTI deliberating names for new federal cabinet

ISLAMABAD: After receiving a comfortable victory in the general elections, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf looks set to form the next federal government with chairman Imran Khan as the next prime minister.

The party has reportedly started deliberations over the next federal cabinet. Well-informed sources revealed that Dr. Arif Alvi and Shafqat Mehmood are being considered for the important position of Speaker of the National Assembly.

The party has already announced that Asad Umar, a former business executive, will be the next finance minister.  Furthermore, Shah Mehmood Qureshi is likely to receive the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, while Ms. Shireen Mazari is been tipped as the next Defence Minister.

Former chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak, who has won a National Assembly seat, and Shafqat Mehmood are being considered for the influential Ministry of Interior.

Shafqat Mehmood has reportedly shown interest as Foreign Minister, but the party is divided due to his lack of experience, and is considering him for the Interior Ministry due to his administrative experience.

PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry will reportedly receive the Information Ministry. Khusro Bakhtiar, Murad Saeed and Chaudhry Sarwar are also expected to receive federal ministries.

Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed is also expected to receive the Ministry of Railways. He has served as the minister in 2006 during the era of president Pervez Musharraf.

Malik Amin Aslam is expected to become the advisor for environment. The party is also considering ministries for Ghulam Sarwar, Amir Liaquat, Shehryar Afridi and minorities leader Ramesh Kumar.