19-member Cabinet takes oath

The 19 members of the federal Cabinet have taken oath today.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered oath to the members of Cabinet.

Earlier, after the consultation on formation of the federal cabinet, it has been decided to include the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q in the federal cabinet.

Sources say that Ishaq Dar will be given the portfolio of Foreign Minister, Azam Tarar the Ministry of Law and Attaullah Tarar the Ministry of Information.

IPP’s Abdul Aleem Khan is also likely to be included in the federal cabinet, while during the consultation it was decided that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will also be given two ministries.

The sources added that Khawaja Asif will be given the portfolio of defence, Musadik Malik will be given petroleum while Amir Maqam is also likely to be included in the cabinet.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja will hold the portfolio of the Ministry of Information and Technology, Muhammad Aurangzeb the Ministry of Finance and former caretaker chief minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi the Ministry of Interior.

It has been decided to make Tariq Fatemi Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Ahad Cheema Advisor on Establishment, while Jam Kamal and Chaudhry Salik will also join the federal cabinet.