(Web Desk) People’s Party‘s refusal to join the government, many ministries are abandoned, many divisions are deprived of ministers.
According to the report of private TV, People’s Party joined Shahbaz Sharif’s government and there was no further expansion in the cabinet. Due to the lack of expansion in the federal cabinet, even after 8 months, many ministries and divisions are being run without federal ministers.
Cabinet division sources say that there are 18 federal ministers for all 40 federal ministries and divisions, many important ministries and divisions are being run through additional portfolios, while the prime minister holds the portfolios of several ministries and divisions.
Sources have said that the Prime Minister has not yet appointed a federal minister for IT and climate change, the ministries of health and inter-provincial coordination are also deprived of federal ministers. The portfolio is also kept by the Prime Minister.
According to the sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not appoint a federal minister for the Ministry of Energy, the two divisions of the Ministry of Energy have been made separate ministers of Power and Petroleum.
All 18 federal ministers have been given portfolios of one or more ministries and divisions, the prime minister has assigned additional portfolios to 12 of the 18 federal ministers, while there are no women federal ministers in Shahbaz Sharif’s cabinet, Prime Minister Mossadegh said. Malik has been made Minister of Petroleum Division, Mossadegh Malik has also been assigned the additional portfolio of Ministry of Water Resources while Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has been given the additional portfolio of Defense Production and Aviation.
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Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer has the additional portfolio of National Food Security, Prime Minister Nazir Tarar has the additional portfolio of Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik has been given the additional portfolio of Religious Affairs and Minister of Private Affairs Abd. Al Aleem Khan holds the additional portfolios of Board of Investment and Communications.
Minister Safran Amir Makam for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar for National Heritage and Culture, Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui for Education and Training, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb for Revenue, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema Establishment Division, Federal Minister Interior Mohsin Naqvi has been assigned the additional portfolio of Narcotics Control.
However, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, Maritime Affairs Minister Qaiser Sheikh, Housing and Works Minister Riaz Pirzada and Power Minister Owais Leghari do not have additional portfolios. Not given the portfolio of Federal Minister, currently Shazah Fatima is serving as Minister of State for IT.
According to the sources of the Cabinet Division, the number of ministers, ministers of state, advisors and special assistants of the prime minister is 24, while there are 18 federal ministers, 2 ministers of state, one advisor and 3 special assistants.
It should be remembered that after the general elections in February 2024, the Pakistan Muslim League-N had formed the federal government along with the allied parties.
How does the absence of federal ministers impact governance in a country?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into the pressing issues of our time. Today, we are joined by Dr. Amina Khan, a political analyst and expert in governance and public administration. Thank you for being here, Dr. Khan.
Dr. Amina Khan: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. Recent reports indicate that the People’s Party has opted not to join Shahbaz Sharif’s government, leading to significant gaps in the federal cabinet. Why is this happening, and what implications does it have for governance?
Dr. Amina Khan: The refusal of the People’s Party to join the cabinet suggests a deeper political strategy or perhaps a lack of trust in the current administration. This creates a vacuum in governance, as many ministries are currently being run without federal ministers. The implications are quite serious—essential functions such as IT, climate change, and health could suffer without dedicated leadership.
Interviewer: It’s alarming to hear that vital ministries are lacking proper oversight. Can you elaborate on how this absence of federal ministers affects policy-making and implementation?
Dr. Amina Khan: Absolutely. Ministries without appointed ministers often struggle with decision-making and accountability. When departments are run through additional portfolios, it can lead to overlapping responsibilities and a lack of clear direction. For instance, key areas like energy and public health require focused attention, and without a dedicated minister, priorities may not be addressed effectively. This can lead to stagnation in policy implementation and can adversely affect public services.
Interviewer: The Prime Minister is currently holding multiple portfolios. Do you think this is a sustainable approach?
Dr. Amina Khan: While it can be a temporary solution, it is not a sustainable long-term strategy. The Prime Minister’s dual or multiple roles can lead to burnout and decreased effectiveness, as one individual cannot realistically manage the extensive needs of various ministries. This also raises concerns about accountability; if a minister is also the prime minister, who holds them accountable for any shortcomings in that ministry?
Interviewer: You mentioned a lack of female representation in the cabinet. How significant is this, and what does it mean for governance?
Dr. Amina Khan: The absence of female federal ministers is a concerning indicator of gender representation in governance. Diverse leadership has been shown to foster more comprehensive and inclusive policy-making. Women bring unique perspectives to the table, particularly in areas like health and education. Without their voices, government decisions may not serve the best interests of the entire population.
Interviewer: Given this scenario, what do you think should be the next steps for the government to address these issues?
Dr. Amina Khan: The government needs to act swiftly to fill the ministerial vacancies. It is essential to appoint capable leaders who can bring expertise to their roles. Additionally, a more strategic approach to cabinet formation that prioritizes diversity and inclusive representation is crucial. Bringing together a variety of voices will not only strengthen governance but also rebuild public trust in the government.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for your insights on this important topic. It seems there are significant challenges ahead for the current administration, and your expertise sheds light on the necessary actions that need to be taken.
Dr. Amina Khan: Thank you for having me. It’s critical for citizens to be aware of these issues, as they directly affect their lives. I hope to see progress in the coming months.
Interviewer: Indeed, let’s hope for a more effective and inclusive governance moving forward. Thank you to our audience for joining us today. Stay tuned for more discussions on crucial issues that shape our society.