LAHORE: The new members of the Punjab cabinet have taken the oath of office at a ceremony at the Governor House in Lahore.
In the initial phase, 18 newly elected members of the Punjab Assembly have taken the oath that was administered to them by Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman. The ceremony was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The Chief Minister House issued a notification for the appointment of the newly inducted cabinet. As per the notification, the governor, on the advice of the chief minister, has appointed 17 members in the first phase of the cabinet formation using powers conferred on him under clause 1 of Article 132 of the Constitution.
However, according to the latest notification issued by the Governor House, the cabinet includes Marriyum Aurangzeb as the senior minister. among 18 members of the cabinet.
Others who have been inducted into the initial cabinet include Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah, Muhammad Kazim Pirzada, Rana Sikandar Hayat, Khawaja Imran Nazeer, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Zeeshan Rafique, Bilal Akbar Khan, Sohaib Ahmed Malik, Azma Zahid Bukhari, Bilal Yasin, Ramesh Singh Arora, Khalil Tahir Sandhu, Faisal Ayub Khokhar, Shafay Hussain, Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, Sohail Shaukat Butt and Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman.
Following are the final portfolios assigned to the members:
Marriyum Aurangzeb has been appointed as the senior minister with the planning and development portfolio
Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah agriculture
Muhammad Kazim Pirzada irrigation
Rana Sikandar Hayat school education, literacy and non-formal basic
Khawaja Imran Nazeer primary healthcare
Khawaja Salman Rafique specialized healthcare
Zeeshan Rafique local government
Bilal Akbar Khan transport
Sohaib Ahmed Malik civil works
Azma Zahid Bukhari information
Bilal Yasin food
Ramesh Singh Arora minorities affairs
Khalil Tahir Sandhu human rights
Faisal Ayub Khokhar sports affairs
Shafay Hussain trade and commerce
Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani mines and minerals
Sohail Shaukat Butt social welfare
Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman finance
Maryam’s vision for Punjab
Speaking to the media before the oath ceremony, CM Maryam Nawaz expressed her satisfaction over the composition of the Punjab cabinet, emphasizing the inclusion of young, qualified, and experienced individuals. She reiterated her commitment to serving the people of Punjab with sincerity and dedication.
With a focus on governance and public service, Maryam emphasized the importance of having educated and capable individuals in key positions within the cabinet. She emphasized that the ministers include foreign-educated and qualified people also, and expressed confidence that their collective expertise and dedication would contribute to the betterment of Punjab and its people.
Furthermore, Maryam acknowledged the guidance and support she has received from her father, Nawaz Sharif, recognizing his mentorship as invaluable in her political journey. She said if the contributions of Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif were excluded, it would only leave destruction.
Speaking about her vision for Punjab, the CM highlighted her ambition to transform the province of 120 million people into a hub for investment and economic growth. She announced plans to introduce a comprehensive package aimed at attracting foreign investors, offering incentives, and establishing tax-free zones and one-window solutions to facilitate investors.
Expressing her aspirations for Punjab’s future, Maryam Nawaz underscored her desire to set an example for others and encourage investment in the province. She emphasized the importance of punctuality and efficiency in governance, suggesting that her own punctuality could serve as a model for others.
In conclusion, Maryam Nawaz pledged to announce the investor package soon, demonstrating her proactive approach to driving economic development and prosperity in Punjab. Her remarks reflect a strong commitment to serving the people and advancing the province’s interests under her leadership.
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