31 federal ministers took oath today more than a week after Shehbaz Sharif became the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan. After the oath-taking ceremony, the federal cabinet portfolios were revealed.
According to details, 14 federal ministers are from PML-N, nine from PPP, four from JUI-F, two are from MQM-P and one belongs to Jamhoori Watan Party.
Here is the list of the ministers and the portfolios assigned to them so far:
- Rana Sanaullah ÂÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Interior Minister
- Miftah Ismail                Finance Minister
- Hina Rabbani Khar    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Ahsan Iqbal         Planning, Development and Special Initiatives
- Marriyum Aurangzeb   Information and Broadcasting
- Azam Nazeer Tarar    Law and Justice
- Ameenul Haq        Information and Technology
- Maulana Asad        Communications
- Mufti Shakoor        Religious Affairs
- Talha Mehmood            SAFRON
- Maulana Abdul Wasey  Housing and Construction
- Shazia Marri         BISP
- Qadir Patel          Ministry of Health
- Khawaja Saad Rafique  Railways
- Tariq Bashir Cheema   Food Security
- Israr Tareen         Defence Production
Apart from them, President Dr. Arif Alvi also approved the appointment of Qamar Zaman Kaira, Engr Amir Muqam, and Aun Chaudhry as advisors to the prime minister.
Moreover, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has scheduled the first cabinet meeting for tomorrow at 10 am at the PM House.
Read more: Here are Pakistan’s new federal ministers
Pakistan’s reaction to new federal ministers
Important to note, the majority of the social media users are reacting negatively to the new federal ministers. For instance, according to netizens, the appointment of Abdul Qadir as Federal Minister for the National Health Department is a downgrade. Previously, Dr. Faisal Sultan held the portfolio. He is a medical expert and is credited with impressively managing Pakistan’s Covid response.
Meanwhile, Qadir Patel was previously a member of the provincial assembly. He was also a member of the national assembly in 2008. Furthermore, he has no medical expertise. On the other hand, there are corruption cases lodged against Qadir Patel.
From Dr Faisal Sultan to Abdul Qadir Patel as Federal Minister for National Health Services.
What a fall for Pakistan!#امپورٹڈ_Øکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/09kALJpD3F
— Yasir Chaudhry (@yacirchaudhry) April 19, 2022
Similarly, Twitteratis were also not happy with PPP’s Shazia Marri receiving the portfolio of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). She is being compared to Dr. Sania Nishtar who previously held the portfolio.
What a shame!!! Sania is a cardiologist, PhD from King’s College London. Chaired WHO high-Level Commission, Member of World Economic Forum. Pak’s nominee for DG of WHO. Replaced by BA Pass Shazia Marri. Phir log kehtain ke tum biased ho. #امپورٹڈ_Øکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/9bDW84JVQh
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) April 19, 2022