Shehbaz Sharif allocates portfolios to federal ministers

After President Asif Ali Zardari swore in the 19-member federal cabinet on Monday, attention turns to the allocation of portfolios in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s team, featuring both familiar and fresh faces. Former Punjab caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi takes on the dual roles of interior minister and narcotics control. Ishaq Dar assumes responsibilities for both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, while seasoned banker Muhammad Aurangzeb joins as well. Ahad Cheema, a bureaucrat from the caretaker government, oversees Economic Affairs alongside the Establishment Division. Khawaja Asif holds the title of defence minister, along with defence production and aviation. Ahsan Iqbal retains the planning, development, and special Initiatives ministry. State Minister Shaza Fatima Khwaja initially remained without a portfolio on Monday, later assigned the Ministry of Information Technology by PM Shehbaz on Tuesday morning.