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Who are the members of PM Sharif’s new cabinet?

Newly elected Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari inspects the honor guard at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad, Pakistan on March 11, 2024. (Press Information Department (PID)/REUTERS)
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Updated 12 March 2024
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Who are the members of PM Sharif’s new cabinet?

  • Federal cabinet comprises Sharif family loyalists, veteran politicians and former ministers 
  • Shaza Fatima Khawaja only women in cabinet, HBL CEO set to become finance minister 
Updated 12 March 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif picked a 19-member federal cabinet on Monday comprising loyalists of the Sharif family, veteran politicians, former ministers and only one woman:

Senator Ishaq Dar

Dar, tipped to take over as foreign minister, is a four-time finance minister and last served in that position in Sharif’s previous government from September 2022 till August 2023. The senator is one of the closest aides of the Sharif family and his son is married to the daughter of Sharif’s elder brother, Nawaz Sharif. 

During Dar’s previous tenure as finance minister, Pakistan’s rupee weakened significantly against the US dollar and the country’s reserves shrunk to unprecedented lows before Islamabad secured a last-gasp bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was saved from debt default. 

Khawaja Muhammad Asif

A veteran politician from Sialkot, Asif is one of the most senior members of Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party and last served as defense minister from April 2022 till August 2023. He is expected to get the defense portfolio again. 

In the past, Asif has also served as Pakistan’s minister of water and power, petroleum, sports as well foreign affairs and also chaired the privatization commission from 1997-99. 

Asif began his political career after getting elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 1991. He was a member of the National Assembly from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2018 and till date.

Azam Nazeer Tarar

A leading Supreme Court lawyer and close Sharif aide, Azam last served as law minister from April 2022 to August 2023 and is expected to take over the portfolio again. He was elected to Pakistan’s Senate in 2021 and will serve as a member of the upper house of parliament till 2027. 

Muhammad Aurangzeb

The chief executive officer of Pakistan’s largest bank, HBL, Aurangzeb is the top choice for finance minister whose top priority will be negotiating a new bailout deal with the IMF and controlling inflation. 

Ahsan Iqbal 

Iqbal, a key Sharif family aide and longtime PML-N member, served as planning minister during Sharif’s previous stint as prime minister. He was also the federal minister for interior from August 2017 till May 2018 when Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was the prime minister. 

Dr. Musadik Masood Malik 

Malik served as petroleum minister during the last Sharif government and has previously also served as a special assistant to the prime minister on water and power. During his stint as petroleum minister last year, Pakistan procured crude oil from Russia for the first timee.

Ataullah Tarar 

Ataullah is the PML-N’s deputy secretary-general and previously served as the prime minister’s special assistant on interior during Sharifz’s stint as prime minister. He has also served as a former home minister of Pakistan’s most populous and political important Punjab province. He is expected to be given charge of Pakistan’s information ministry. 

Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi

The current chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), media mogul Naqvi was caretaker chief minister of Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province from January 2023 to February 2024. He is the owner of the City News Network media house and is believed to be close to President Asif Ali Zardari and army chief Gen Asim Munir. 

Naqvi is tipped to head Pakistan’s powerful and prominent interior ministry, which tackles security challenges and often becomes embroiled in cracking down on the political opponents of incumbent governments. 

Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui

Siddiqui leads the Karachi-based Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) political party and served as federal minister for information technology from 2018 to 2020 in former prime minister Imran Khan’s cabinet. 

Abdul Aleem Khan 

A real estate tycoon and owner of the prominent Pakistani TV channel Samaa, Aleem was once a close aide of ex-PM Khan but became a key rival and launched his own Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) comprising many of Khan’s closest past associates. 

Rana Tanveer Hussain 

A vice president of the PML-N party, Hussain has served as federal minister for education, defense production and science and technology.

Chaudhry Salik Hussain 

The son of veteran politician and former Pakistani prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Salik is a former federal minister who headed the Board of Investments and Special Initiatives during the last Sharif cabinet. 

Shaza Fatima Khawaja 

The only woman member of the new cabinet, Shaza is a niece of former defense minister Khawaja Asif and previously served as special assistant to the prime minister on youth affairs. She has also taught International Relations and Political Science at the prestigeous Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). 

Jam Kamal Khan 

Khan served as the 16th chief minister of Balochistan from 2018 to 2021. A former leader of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Jam joined the PML-N in November 2023. 

Amir Muqam 

A senior leader of the PML-N from Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Muqam served as adviser to the prime minister on political and public affairs in the last Sharif cabinet. 

Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari 

Leghari is a former lawmaker who served as a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly from 2002-07, 2011-13 and 2013-18. His father, Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari, was Pakistan’s president from 1993-97. 

Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh 

A businessman-turned-politician, Sheikh is a veteran leader of the PML-N party. 

Ahad Khan Cheema 

A former civil servant and senior bureaucrat, Cheema served as a member of the last Sharif cabinet as an adviser on establishment. In 2018, he was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau in an inquiry related to the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme. 

Riaz Hussain Pirzada

Another PML-N leader, Pirzada has previously served as human rights minister and minister for inter-provincial coordination.

Topics: cabinet members federal cabinet

Pakistan president calls for education, financial freedom to combat violence against women

Updated 4 sec ago
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Pakistan president calls for education, financial freedom to combat violence against women

  • Zardari urges ‘systematic reforms’ on International Day to End Violence Against Women
  • Pakistan has introduced laws to protect women, but their implementation is inadequate
Updated 4 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday called for intensified efforts to eliminate violence against women, emphasizing education and financial independence as essential tools to empower women and ensure their safety.
Zardari issued the statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed annually on November 25, to highlight the global issue of gender-based violence, which affects one in three women worldwide, according to the United Nations.
In Pakistan, the problem is compounded by deeply rooted patriarchal norms, with incidents of domestic abuse, honor killings and workplace harassment remaining widespread despite existing laws.
“Today, we renew our commitment to protecting women’s rights, providing a safe and supportive environment and eradicating violence,” the president said in a statement. “It is essential to provide women with education and skills and ensure their financial independence.”
“Every year, thousands of women lose their lives due to violence,” he added. “To prevent violence against women, strategies and systemic reforms must be implemented.”
Pakistan has introduced several laws to protect women, including legislation against sexual violence and workplace harassment. However, human rights organizations point to significant gaps in enforcement and the persistence of discriminatory attitudes that undermine women’s safety.
The president described violence against women as a “major human rights issue,” stressing the importance of raising awareness about women’s rights and the urgent need for collective action to create a safer society.
“Through collective efforts, we can create a safer, violence-free environment for women,” he said.
The president also recalled how Pakistan’s only female prime minister, his late wife Benazir Bhutto, emphasized economic freedom and social equality to improve the quality of life for women in the country.
He said she aspired to create a society free from exploitation and mistreatment of women.
“I am pleased that meaningful efforts are being made in Pakistan to eliminate violence against women,” he added. “Through collective efforts, we can create a safer, violence-free environment for women.”

Topics: domestic abuse Pakistan education Asif Ali Zardari

Elephant Madhubala set to reunite with kin on Tuesday after 15-year separation

Updated 41 min 20 sec ago
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Elephant Madhubala set to reunite with kin on Tuesday after 15-year separation

  • Madhubala has languished in Karachi Zoo’s solitary confinement since April 2023 after elephant Noor Jehan died
  • Animal rights activists have campaigned for elephants to be shifted to species-appropriate sanctuaries 
Updated 41 min 20 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Elephant Madhubala is set to be reunited with her cousins at Karachi’s Safari Park sanctuary on Tuesday after being separated from them for 15 years and spending a year in solitary confinement, an animal welfare organization said. 
Madhubala, one of only three captive elephants in Pakistan, was brought to the country in 2009 along with three other elephants from Tanzania. She and her companion, Noor Jehan, were separated from their kin about 15 years ago and brought to the Karachi Zoo. 

This handout photo, taken and released by FOUR PAWS International, a Vienna-based animal welfare organization, on November 24, 2024, shows Madhubala, one of only three captive elephants in Pakistan, at a zoo in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: FOUR PAWS/Handout)

Noor Jehan passed away in April 2023, leaving Madhubala in solitary confinement at the zoo since then. Animal rights organizations have vigorously campaigned for Madhubala to be shifted to the Safari Park, saying the solitary confinement has taken a toll on her health. 
A team from FOUR PAWS International, a Vienna-based animal welfare organization, has arrived in Karachi to oversee Madhubala’s transfer to the sanctuary. 
“I’m excited to see how Madhubala will react when she meets her cousins,” Dr. Amir Khalil, director of reveal and rescue at FOUR PAWS, told Arab News. 

This handout photo, taken and released by FOUR PAWS International, a Vienna-based animal welfare organization, on November 24, 2024, shows officials from the FOUR PAWS work on a sanctuary being created for Madhubala, one of only three captive elephants in Pakistan, at Safari Park in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: FOUR PAWS/Handout)

“Imagine someone who hasn’t seen their siblings in fifteen years — how will she feel when they finally reunite?”
Animal rights activists have long campaigned against the plight of animals in Pakistan, especially elephants, and demanded they be shifted to “species-appropriate” locations such as the Safari Park.
FOUR PAWS has said the elephant enclosures at Safari Park would have water elements for bathing, skincare and thermoregulation. Enrichments such as hay nets, varying substrates like soil, sand, clay, and sawdust will be provided for Madhubala to dust bathe while the area is secured by elephant-proof fencing.

This handout photo, taken and released by FOUR PAWS International, a Vienna-based animal welfare organization, on November 24, 2024, shows Madhubala, one of only three captive elephants in Pakistan, at a zoo in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: FOUR PAWS/Handout)

Four Paws said in a statement last month that the adaptation work at Karachi’s Safari Park had reached its final stage. Madhubala will be carried from the Karachi Zoo to the Safari Park in a huge transport crate. 
The elephant was trained to enter and exit the crate by herself and sit inside it earlier this year. 
“As part of the final preparations, the focus now lies on completing the landscaping of the elephant enclosure at Safari Park, finalizing enrichment features, and continuing the necessary training of the three elephants, including resuming crate training for Madhubala,” FOUR PAWS said last month.

This handout photo, taken and released by FOUR PAWS International, a Vienna-based animal welfare organization, on November 24, 2024, shows official from the FOUR PAWS works on a sanctuary being created for Madhubala, one of only three captive elephants in Pakistan, at Safari Park in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: FOUR PAWS/Handout)

The relocation, among others, will be witnessed by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the consul general of the United Arab Emirates and the ambassador of Austria.

This handout photo, taken and released by FOUR PAWS International, a Vienna-based animal welfare organization, on November 24, 2024, shows Madhubala, one of only three captive elephants in Pakistan, at a zoo in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: FOUR PAWS/Handout)

 

Topics: Madhubala elephant Elephant in Karachi Zoo safari park

Pakistan Senate chairman leaves for Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral ties

Updated 25 November 2024
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Pakistan Senate chairman leaves for Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral ties

  • Yousuf Raza Gillani to meet Saudi Shoura Council chairman, governors of Riyadh and Madinah during visit
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia closely cooperate in defense, military, economy, trade and other vital sectors
Updated 25 November 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani left for a five-day trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday with his visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and promoting institutional cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh, the Senate Secretariat said. 
The invitation to Gillani and his delegation was extended by Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, the secretariat said. The Majlis Al-Shoura, or Consultative Council, is a legislative body that advises the Saudi king on issues that are important to Saudi Arabia.
“Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has left for a five-day trip to Saudi Arabia with a delegation,” the Senate Secretariat said in a statement. 
“The aim of the visit is to further promote bilateral relations and institutional cooperation.”
The Pakistani delegation will hold high-level meetings with the Shoura Council chairman, governors of Madinah and Riyadh, and conduct other high-level meetings, it said. 
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial relations that have resulted in close cooperation in defense, military, economic and other sectors. 
Last month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed investment agreements worth $2.8 billion while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged to expedite a $5 billion investment portfolio for Islamabad.
Saudi Arabia has frequently bailed Pakistan out of its economic crisis over the years, coming to its aid with loan rollovers and providing oil on deferred payments to Islamabad.

Topics: Pakistan senate

Sri Lankan artist immortalizes Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem with special painting

Updated 25 November 2024
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Sri Lankan artist immortalizes Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem with special painting

  • Arshad Nadeem won Pakistan its first Olympic gold medal since 1992 in August with record-breaking javelin throw
  • Titled “The Throw,” Mueen Saheed’s painting features an abstract portrayal of Nadeem and his mother
Updated 25 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lankan artist Mueen Saheed has paid tribute to Pakistani Olympian Arshad Nadeem by dedicating a “special painting” to the sportsman, state-run media recently reported, as a mark of respect for bagging the gold medal for his country earlier this year. 
Nadeem made history at the Paris Olympics in August by setting a new record for the longest javelin throw in the global competition, winning Pakistan its first gold medal since 1992 with a record-breaking 92.97m javelin throw. 
Saheed last week concluded an art cultural tour in Pakistan where he showcased his artwork at three major exhibitions in Lahore and Islamabad.
“Renowned Sri Lankan artist, Mueen Saheed made a memorable addition to his tour of Pakistan by presenting a special painting dedicated to Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s celebrated Olympic gold medalist, to the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA),” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Sunday. 
The painting, now a part of the PNCA’s prestigious permanent collection, pays homage to Nadeem’s remarkable achievements and his role in uniting fans across borders.
Titled “The Throw,” the painting features an abstract portrayal of Nadeem and his mother, veiled behind Saheed’s distinctive brushstrokes and use of small squares, the APP said. 
The presentation ceremony at the PNCA in Islamabad, part of the artist’s “Passages of Light” exhibition, was attended by key figures in the arts and culture sector, including PNCA Director General Muhammad Ayoub Jamali and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. 
“Arshad Nadeem’s story is one of resilience and humility,” Saheed explained. “His victory at the Olympics and the moments of sportsmanship with his Indian counterpart, Neeraj Chopra, were powerful examples of unity in competition.”
Tarar praised Saheed’s gesture, noting the significance of honoring a national hero whose journey resonates beyond sports, inspiring audiences from Pakistan, India, and around the world, the state-run media said.

Topics: Arshad Nadeem

Belarus President Lukashenko to arrive in Pakistan today amid Islamabad protest

Updated 32 min 7 sec ago
Shahjahan Khurram 
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Belarus President Lukashenko to arrive in Pakistan today amid Islamabad protest

  • Thousands of ex-PM Khan supporters expected to arrive in Pakistan’s capital for anti-government protest
  • Pakistan, Belarus expected to sign several agreements during Aleksandr Lukashenko’s three-day visit
Updated 32 min 7 sec ago
Shahjahan Khurram 

ISLAMABAD: Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on a three-day visit today, Monday, as thousands of supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan march toward the capital for an anti-government march. 
Pakistan’s state media said last week that Lukashenko was expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on bilateral cooperation while several agreements would be signed between the two countries. 
His visit comes at a time when thousands of supporters of jailed ex-PM Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party are headed toward Islamabad for a protest “long march.” Khan’s party is demanding his release from prison, independence of the judiciary and protesting against alleged rigging in the February national elections. 
“President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko will undertake three-day visit to Pakistan from today,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 
As a 68-member delegation from Belarus arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Sunday ahead of Lukashenko’s visit, Pakistan’s government described the PTI’s protest as a “deliberate conspiracy” against the country’s “honor,” vowing stern action against any persons found violating the law. 
The government last week took measures to enhance security in Islamabad, sealing off key highways and motorways leading to the capital from surrounding areas with shipping containers. 
Security in the capital has also been beefed up with the deployment of paramilitary forces and police while the government has suspended Internet services in areas deemed sensitive for security. 
PTI CARAVAN
Meanwhile, the PTI convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur left Peshawar around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and reached Swabi in the evening, where it was joined by protesters from across the province.
The caravan then proceeded to Ghazi Barotha near Punjab, where it encountered blockades and barriers. 
Hajji Fazal Elahi, a PTI provincial lawmaker, told Arab News the party supporters were determined to reach D-Chowk, the protest venue in Islamabad.
“We will go to D-Chowk and cross all the barriers, even if it takes a day or two,” he said.
As per the latest updates, the PTI’s caravan has crossed Ghazi Barotha and reached at the Hazara Interchange.
Meanwhile, sporadic clashes erupted between law enforcers and Khan supporters near Islamabad on Sunday night after they tried to enter the capital from the nearby Rawalpindi city. 
Speaking to Arab News, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, a senior PTI leader and close aide to Khan, expressed dismay at the government’s response, saying his party only wanted to hold a peaceful protest.
“There is a heavy crackdown in Rawalpindi, as they [the law enforcement officials] have shot rubber bullets, teargas and also picked up people,” he said on Sunday.

Topics: Pakistan Belarus Ties Belarus president PTI protest Islamabad Protest

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