Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has intensified consultations for the formation of the interim cabinet, according to sources reported by Geo News on Tuesday. The caretaker prime minister has reportedly chosen to create a small cabinet and personally scrutinize the profiles of potential candidates.
Kakar emphasized his commitment to not burdening the country, which is grappling with economic issues. He expressed his desire for a streamlined protocol, aiming to minimize unnecessary expenses and alleviate the public’s challenges.
Among the names under consideration for caretaker ministers are former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, former civil servant Shoaib Suddle, former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Ahsan Bhoon, former senator Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, and former police inspector general and renowned columnist Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema. Additionally, former information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani is likely to be assigned the Ministry of Information portfolio.
In a recent development, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, a former senator and leader of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), was sworn in as the eighth caretaker prime minister of Pakistan. His role will extend until the upcoming general elections, which are scheduled in the coming months.
Sources also revealed that key officials from the previous administration have been retained by the interim prime minister, including Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, former advisor to PM Ahad Cheema, and joint secretary Mohib Ali. Arshad Muneer Khan, who has been promoted to grade-21, is expected to assume the position of principal information officer (PIO). Military Secretary to Prime Minister Brigadier Tajdeed Mumtaz will also continue in his administrative role.
Deliberations for the caretaker federal cabinet are set to commence, with the possibility of an announcement later in the week, according to sources. The interim cabinet formation process is a significant step in ensuring effective governance during the transitional period leading up to the general elections.
