ISLAMABAD: In a significant cabinet reshuffle in the central cabinet on Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan reallocated portfolios of three ministers amid elevating his advisor on Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Shaikh as the Minister for Finance.
Pertinently mentioned that Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had been reported to fetch the portfolio of the Ministry of Interior during the first cabinet of the existing regime but the dream came true three years after the reign of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has been given the portfolio of the Ministry of Interior while outgoing minister Ijaz Ahmed Shah has been given the Ministry of Narcotics Control. Likewise, Azam Khan Swati has been made Minister for Railways, the slot vacant by Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
Soon after assuming charge of the interior ministry Sheikh Rashid Ahmed pledged in his maiden news conference vowed to introduce a modern border management system, provide passport facilities to the poor and bring improvement in the matters of immigration. He was of the view that Prime Minister Imran Khan will succeed in its mission to steer the country out of all challenges. He said the rule of law and constitution will be ensured in the country and we are committed to fight money laundering.
Sheikh Rashid said there is no restriction on the opposition parties to hold a gathering in Lahore. He, however, said they will fail in their designs to fan anarchy in the country.
Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, formerly Finance Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan took oath as a Federal Minister and now will chair the Ministry of Finance. President Dr Arif Alvi administered the oath to Abdul Hafeez Shaikh during the course of the day at the President House. The former adviser was elevated as a federal minister after the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) verdict on inclusion of advisors and special assistants in cabinet committees.
It is the fourth federal cabinet reshuffle since the PTI government came into power three years ago as the move came days after a division bench of the Islamabad High Court, comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Ghulam Azam Qambrani ruled that the Prime Minister’s advisors and special assistants have no executive authority vested in them to chair or become members of cabinet committees.
Under Article 93 of the Constitution the bench allowed the Prime Minister to appoint up to five advisors while conferring a federal minister status on an advisor is “only for the purpose of perks and privileges” and “does not make the advisor a federal minister as such”.
It has been reported that soon after the appointments, in addition to discussion over opposition’s resignation and allied matters, Prime Minister Imran Khan has given task to incumbent Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed to deal with Pakistan Democratic Movement demonstration in Lahore, being organized by the PML-N on December 13.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said Pakistan’s economy witnessed good times as remittances crossed US$2 billion for consecutive six months.
“More good news as workers’ remittances continued to grow in November – remaining above US$2 billion for a record 6th consecutive month,” the prime minister said in a tweet.
Prime Minister mentioned that according to State Bank of Pakistan, the remittances rose to US$2.34 billion, which was 2.4 percent up of the previous month and 28.4 percent over November last year.
Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad today (Friday) and held discussion on Punjab Aab-e-Pak Authority and the steps being taken to increase the cotton crop production.
The Prime Minister directed the provision of clean drinking water to the people under the Aab-e-Pak project. The Prime Minister was informed that work on the project will be started in January next year.
The Governor Punjab informed the Prime Minister a comprehensive strategy has been prepared after taking on board the relevant stakeholders to bolster the cotton production. He said provision of quality seeds and pesticides will help increase the cotton production.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad today (Friday) and held detailed discussions on the province’s political situation and the development of tribal districts. – TLTP