ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is divided on joining the federal cabinet in the coalition government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is instead keen on receiving key posts of the country.
According to sources and media reports, PPP is interested in key posts including the President, National Assembly Speaker and Senate Chairman positions instead of federal ministries in new coalition setup. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has started consultation and has met leaders from coalition partners before forming the cabinet.
The PPP is also not keen on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari joining the federal cabinet as the new foreign minister although in-house consultation on the matter was still ongoing.
A rift has emerged within the whether Bilawal should accept the foreign ministry slot as it would provide him with experience in handling international affairs. However, some party leaders believe the chairman should not become a part of the federal cabinet as it would undermine his status as head of the second-largest party in the coalition.
Sources mentioned that the PPP is not interested in federal ministers and are instead keen on three federal positions. Former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have also started consultation regarding the new cabinet as well. A final decision is expected in a few days.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has initiated consultations for his cabinet with the allied parties. The federal cabinet under consideration will likely have 12 ministers from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and seven ministers from Pakistan People’s Party.
Moreover, JUI-F will likely to be given four ministries, MQM two ministries, while BNP-Mengal, ANP, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) will also be given cabinet portfolios. PML-N Senator Azam Nazir Tarar has been under consideration for the Leader of the House in the Senate.
PM Shehbaz Sharif held meetings with the leaders of allied parties and thanked for his nomination for the office of the prime minister and supporting him in the election.
