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Updated 16 Aug, 2023 08:50pm

Shamshad Akhtar to be finance minister as Kakar completes consultations: sources

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has completed consultations over the names in the interim cabinet, and its formation is likely to be completed by tomorrow, sources said.

Former State Bank Governor Shahmshad Akhtar is likely to be the caretaker finance minister, the Business Recorder reported on Wednesday.

Chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Gohar Ejaz’s name is reported to have been finalised for the charge of the Ministry of Industries.

Former special assistant to ex-PM Shehbaz Sharif Ahad Cheema will also be included in the interim cabinet, along with former captain of Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi, Dr Waqar Masood and chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association Gohar Ejaz, they added.

A retired female ambassador’s name has also been finalised to take charge of the foreign ministry.

The federal cabinet will be completed in two phases as foreign, finance, commerce, information and interior minister will take oath in the first phase.

Earlier, reports suggested that the names of Jalil Abbas Jilani, Hafeez Sheikh, Shamshad Akhtar, Raza Baqir, Faisal Vawda, Khurram Hameed Rokhari, Mushtaq Sukhaira, Shoaib Suddal and Qari Syed Sadaqat Ali were being discussed for several ministries in interim setup.

Gohar Ejaz, Sarfaraz Bugti, Ashtar Ausaf, Zulfiqar Cheema, Ahmed Cheema, Muhammad Ali Durrani, Ahsan Bhoon, Jugnu Mohsin, Ayesha Raza Farooque were also reported to have come under consideration for interim setup.

Kakar was sworn in as the 8th caretaker prime minister on August 14 to see the country through to an election due in months.

Shortly before taking the oath, Kakar resigned from his Senate membership, though he was not required to do that under the law.

President Arif Alvi administered oath of the office to Kakar. Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the ceremony.

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