Pakistan's newly appointed federal ministers are still waiting for their portfolios, eight days after taking oath, as tensions rise between new and old cabinet members over key assignments.
The delay has sparked discontent among lawmakers from various regions, including Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Several members have openly criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership for the lack of clarity.
Among those expressing displeasure are Islamabad's Anjum Aqeel Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Ikhtiar Wali, and Balochistan's Jamal Shah Kakar. Kakar, the PML-N's secretary general from Balochistan, accused the party of sidelining long-time members in favor of recent entrants.
"Members of Balochistan have been ignored in the cabinet expansion. Senior members who stood by the party for years have been completely overlooked," Kakar said.
Ikhtiar Wali voiced similar concerns, saying, "It is disappointing to see loyal members left out while newcomers are prioritized. The leadership must address this imbalance."
Sources within the ruling alliance said the delay is partly due to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's plan to personally consult all cabinet members before assigning portfolios. He is also considering reshuffling portfolios of existing ministers, including Ali Pervez Malik, Musadik Malik, Amir Muqam, Owais Leghari, and Riaz Pirzada.
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Adding to the turmoil, Minister of State Abdul Rehman Kanju is reportedly unhappy with his appointment, preferring a federal ministry instead. Meanwhile, Ikhtiar Wali has been appointed coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa affairs following a meeting with the prime minister.
"The prime minister wants to ensure that every member's concerns are heard before making any decisions," said a senior government official who requested anonymity. "The final list of portfolios is expected soon."
Posters in Rawalpindi have already declared Hanif Abbasi as the Minister of Railways, though no official announcement has been made.
Lawmakers from allied parties, including the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), have also voiced frustration over the lack of representation in the new cabinet. Sardar Yaqub Nasir and Mian Khan Bugti have reportedly conveyed their grievances to party leadership.
The cabinet division is expected to issue portfolio notifications after final consultations. Three new appointees — Imran Shah, Armaghan Subhani, and Shazra Mansab Ali — have yet to take their oaths due to the president's unavailability.
"The delay is creating uncertainty among members and affecting government operations," said an opposition member. "A swift resolution is needed to move forward."
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