PTBP Web Desk
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has confirmed that a cabinet expansion is on the horizon. This decision comes from the highest echelons of the party, with Senator Irfan Siddiqui revealing on a private channel that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has already greenlit the names of potential new cabinet members. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is still waiting for final approval from Nawaz Sharif to proceed with the expansion of the federal cabinet.
The rationale behind this expansion is multi-fold, primarily aimed at placating the demands of restless coalition partners and engaging with non-coalition entities like the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F). It’s also seen as a strategy to alleviate the workload on existing ministers who currently juggle multiple portfolios. The expansion is expected to introduce around 9 or 10 new members, including ministers and advisors, to the cabinet.
Among the names floated for ministerial positions are key PML-N figures such as Hanif Abbasi, Barrister Aqeel Malik, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Barrister Daniyal, Talal Chaudhry, and Malik Sohail Khan Kamrial, alongside notable defectors from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) like Aurangzeb Khan Ghichi and Alamzeb Khan. These appointments are part of a broader political chess game, aiming to consolidate power and influence across various constituencies.
The expansion has not been met with universal approval. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), a crucial ally in the coalition government, has decided against joining the cabinet. A senior, anonymous PPP official stated that joining the cabinet would compromise their ability to critique government policies, especially at a time when economic relief for the public should be the priority over cabinet expansion. PPP leaders, including Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, have been vocal critics of government policies, particularly regarding social media censorship and internet speed restrictions. Shazia Marri, another prominent PPP figure, has expressed frustration over the government’s lack of engagement with PPP on key decisions.
Public sentiment, as captured by a Business Recorder (BR) survey, leans against the cabinet expansion, with many in the private sector facing stagnant wages amidst ongoing inflation, even if at a reduced rate. Critics argue that this expansion contradicts the government’s proclaimed austerity measures. A senior PML-N leader countered these criticisms by emphasizing that most ministers and advisors do not draw salaries and operate under strict resource constraints.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reportedly advised against the expansion, highlighting potential negative impacts on the government’s austerity commitments. He suggested appointing advisors instead of federal ministers, given the constitutional allowance for more advisors than currently appointed. This advice comes amidst concerns that expanding the cabinet might dilute the government’s focus on efficient governance.
The expansion’s timing remains uncertain, with a senior PML-N leader noting that it could happen at any moment, reflecting the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of Pakistani politics.
