Pakistan PM Abbasi’s ministers may take oath on Friday

Islamabad, Aug 3 (IANS) The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Thursday decided upon members of the incoming cabinet under incumbent Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, local media reported.

The new federal cabinet is expected to consist of 46 ministers and state ministers, the sources said, Dawn reported.

The cabinet is expected to take oath on Friday, reports said, naming a few of the appointments which have apparently been decided by the party:

Khurram Dastagir: Defence Minister
Ahsan Iqbal: Interior Minister
Khawaja Asif: Foreign Minister
Ishaq Dar: Finance Minister
Saira Afzal Tarar: Health Minister
Marriyum Aurangzeb: Information Minister
Darshan Laal: Interprovincial Coordination Minister
Balighur Rehman: Religious Affairs Minister
Saad Rafique: Railways Minister

Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar has been left out of the Abbasi's cabinet.

PML-N leaders Talal Chaudhry and Daniyal Aziz are expected to be appointed ministers of state, the sources said.

The latest development comes hours after the PML-N's top brass held two back-to-back consultative meetings at Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif's Donga Gali residence.

The party has been deliberating over membership of the new cabinet over the past few days, as well as its contender for the upcoming NA-120 by-poll for the seat left vacant by ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

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