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Prime ministers

Pakistan's Prime Minister Launches Cabinet Reforms

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has begun consultations with political leaders to reform the cabinet, following a decision by the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling Pakistan People's Party. The plan to dissolve the current cabinet and form a new, smaller one has been approved by the CEC, and Gilani has made phone calls to various party leaders, including the main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif. This move aims to address the country's economic and budgetary issues, as well as the criticism surrounding the large size of the cabinet.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has launched consultations with political leaders to reform the cabinet, following a decision by the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan People's Party.
  • The CEC approved the plan to dissolve the current cabinet and form a new, smaller one, with over 50 ministers and ministers of state.
  • Gilani has made phone calls to various party leaders, including the main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, PML-F leader Pir Syed Mardan Shah, London-residing chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain, Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan, and Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman.
  • Analysts suggest that some key members of the existing cabinet, including finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and interior minister Rehman Malik, may be retained in the new setup.
  • Senator Raza Rabbani, a senior PPP leader and adviser to the prime minister, is likely to be given an important cabinet slot.
  • The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has expressed support for a lean cabinet, with PML-N spokesman Senator Pervaiz Rashid stating, "Our party stands for a lean and clean cabinet."
  • The PPP leadership is keen for the MQM and JUI to become part of the new cabinet.

Statistics:

  • The current cabinet has over 50 ministers and ministers of state, which has been a target of criticism due to its size.
  • The CEC has proposed a 30% cut in government expenditure, as part of the national reform agenda presented by the PML-N.
  • The PML-N had earlier presented a 45-day timeframe for implementing these reforms, which includes measures such as removing ministers tainted by corruption charges and appointing honest and competent people as heads of state enterprises.
  • President Zardari's spokesman stated that the president had discussed the political situation with Nawaz Sharif by telephone.

Sources:

  • Bureau Report, Islamabad (no date mentioned)
  • Senator Pervaiz Rashid, PML-N spokesman, quoted in a private television channel (no date mentioned)
  • Sources within the PPP and PML-N leadership (no date mentioned)

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