As the Punjab government under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz completes its first year, significant changes are underway.
Marking this milestone, the chief minister has reviewed the government’s performance and decided to expand the provincial cabinet.
Currently, Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet consists of 16 ministers, including five special assistants. Seven ministers are from Lahore, while the remaining nine represent other districts of Punjab.
Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif conducted meetings and interviews with party MPAs from various divisions before approving the cabinet expansion.
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Following his approval, a list of 10 to 12 names has been sent to the chief minister.
The oath-taking ceremony for the new ministers is expected this week.
Sources indicate that regional representation played a key role in the selection process. Each underrepresented division is set to have at least one new minister.
The shortlisted candidates include Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Rana Mohammad Iqbal, Manshaullah Butt, Colonel (R) Ayub Gadhi, Salman Naeem, Rana Tahir Iqbal, Malik Asad Khokhar, Malik Asif Bha, Usama Leghari, and Yawar Zaman.
Some will be appointed as special assistants, while others will receive ministerial portfolios.
With the cabinet expansion, several ministerial portfolios are likely to be reshuffled.
Provincial Law Minister Sohaib Bharth may be relieved of his additional law portfolio, while Higher Education Minister Rana Sikandar could see his ministry reassigned.
