Cabinet of Pakistan
Encyclopedia
The Cabinet of Pakistan is headed by Prime Minister
and plays an important role in the Government of Pakistan
, in accordance with the Westminster System
.
A council of Ministers chaired by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet
is the senior echelon of the Ministry
; the terms Cabinet and Ministry are sometimes used interchangeably, a subtle inaccuracy which can spark confusion. Although the membership of the Ministry and the Cabinet are often coterminal, currently there are five members of the Ministry that are not members of the Cabinet. Technically, the Cabinet is the executive committee of the Pakistan government
leads the interior ministry, Shaukat Tareen
the finance ministry and Dr Asim Hussain the petroleum and natural resources ministry. However, at least 7 ministerial heads are not filled and are reserved for future coalition partners.
, and two from JUI-F. It was the first time that MQM became part of the coalition government in the center, whereas before it was part of Sindh government only. For the MQM minister, Labour, Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis ministry was bifurcated into Labour and Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis ministries, with the MQM minister taking charge of the latter. As a result, the total tally for federal ministers rose to 41, with 18 ministers of state. Amongst the federal ministers there are 29 from the PPP; three from JUI-F; two each from ANP, MQM, and FATA; one each from PML-F and BNP-A; and one independent candidate. The tally for ministers of state and advisors to the PM stayed the same, hence raising the grand total to 62.
In February 2009, Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti quit as narcotics minister over differences with ANP leadership.
In March 2009, Rehman Malik was given the ministry as he stood eligible after being elected senator in the National Assembly of Pakistan. Additionally, Syed Masood Kausar
was installed as Law and Justice adviser after Farooq Naek
became the chairman of the senate. Also Raza Rabbani and Sherry Rehman quit the cabinet, with Qamar Zaman Kaira replacing the latter.
in the Pakistani Cabinet was in excess of the maximum number which the country's Constitution
allows. The Constitution states clearly that not more than one-fourth of the total federal ministers can be taken from the Senate. 39 of the Cabinet's 59 members are federal ministers, and 10 of the 39 are members of the Senate.
in September 2010 revealed that 24 government ministers did not pay income tax at all. Four ministers paid below Rs 10,000, 15 ministers had paid between Rs 10,000 and Rs 100,000. Only two ministers out of 61 had paid more than one million rupees. The article highlighted Prime Minister Gillani
who had not paid any taxes for the three consecutive years for which figures had been made available to the journalist. The results were based on 2008 figures obtained from the Election Commission of Pakistan
.
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
and plays an important role in the Government of Pakistan
Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
, in accordance with the Westminster System
Westminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
.
A council of Ministers chaired by the Prime Minister, the Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
is the senior echelon of the Ministry
Ministry (collective executive)
A ministry refers to a collective body of government ministers headed by a prime minister or premier. Although the term "cabinet" can in some circumstances be a synonym, a ministry can be a broader concept which might include office-holders that do not participate in cabinet meetings...
; the terms Cabinet and Ministry are sometimes used interchangeably, a subtle inaccuracy which can spark confusion. Although the membership of the Ministry and the Cabinet are often coterminal, currently there are five members of the Ministry that are not members of the Cabinet. Technically, the Cabinet is the executive committee of the Pakistan government
Ambassadors at Large
The Prime Minister of Pakistan has also appointed the following Ambassador's at Large, which is a top diplomatic assignment and often status of Federal Minister:- Khalil Ahmed - Ambassador at Large and Special Envoy to China
- Nasir Khan - Ambassador at Large
- Javed MalikJaved MalikJaved Malik is Pakistan's Ambassador at Large. He is also a noted television journalist & Corporate Lawyer in addition to having business interests in London, Dubai and Pakistan. He is also the Editor in Chief of The Diplomat Magazine published from the UAE *...
- Ambassador at Large
Fall 2008 cabinet changes
On November 3, 2008 a reshuffle of the cabinet took place, in which several new portfolios were created. The announcement was made by the Cabinet Division on the same day. After the inductions, there were 37 federal ministers, 3 Ambassadors at Large, and 18 ministers of state. Amongst the federal ministers there are 29 from the PPP, two from the ANP, two from FATA, and one each from JUI-F, PML-F, BNP-A, and one independent candidate. For ministers of state, 14 belong to the PPP, two to the ANP, one each to PML-F and FATA. Additionally, there are at least three advisers working under the Prime Minister who also lead their respective ministries; Rehman MalikRehman Malik
27 April 2009 He has been the interior adviser since 27 March 2008.Senator A. Rehman Malik is a Pakistani politician, member of the Senate of Pakistan, and the current Interior Minister of Pakistan under the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani administration. His Second name is Shetan Malik and he...
leads the interior ministry, Shaukat Tareen
Shaukat Tareen
Shaukat Tarin is a senior banker from Pakistan who also served as the country's Finance Minister in Yousaf Raza Gillani-led government from 2008 to 2010. Appointed to this position as an adviser to the government on 7 October 2008, he was elected as a senator from Sindh on 27 July 2009, thereafter...
the finance ministry and Dr Asim Hussain the petroleum and natural resources ministry. However, at least 7 ministerial heads are not filled and are reserved for future coalition partners.
Spring 2009 cabinet additions
On January 26, 2009, four new federal ministers took charge. These included two from MQMMuttahida Qaumi Movement
Muttahida Qaumi Movement generally known as MQM, is a liberal-secular political party of Pakistan. It is generally known as a party which holds immense mobilizing potential in province of Sindh...
, and two from JUI-F. It was the first time that MQM became part of the coalition government in the center, whereas before it was part of Sindh government only. For the MQM minister, Labour, Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis ministry was bifurcated into Labour and Manpower, and Overseas Pakistanis ministries, with the MQM minister taking charge of the latter. As a result, the total tally for federal ministers rose to 41, with 18 ministers of state. Amongst the federal ministers there are 29 from the PPP; three from JUI-F; two each from ANP, MQM, and FATA; one each from PML-F and BNP-A; and one independent candidate. The tally for ministers of state and advisors to the PM stayed the same, hence raising the grand total to 62.
In February 2009, Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti quit as narcotics minister over differences with ANP leadership.
In March 2009, Rehman Malik was given the ministry as he stood eligible after being elected senator in the National Assembly of Pakistan. Additionally, Syed Masood Kausar
Syed Masood Kausar
Syed Masood Kausar is a Pakistani politician and a senior member of Pakistan Peoples Party led by Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. Masood Kausar is brother of famous Urdu poet Ahmed Faraz...
was installed as Law and Justice adviser after Farooq Naek
Farooq Naek
Farooq Hamid Naek is the current Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, who replaced Muhammad Mian Soomro on 12 March 2009. He was appointed to that position by President Asif Ali Zardari of the ruling coalition of PPP, ANP, MQM and JUI-F. As a result of his election, senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani...
became the chairman of the senate. Also Raza Rabbani and Sherry Rehman quit the cabinet, with Qamar Zaman Kaira replacing the latter.
Constitution of Cabinet in violation of Constitution
On August 30, 2009 it was revealed that the number of SenatorsSenate of Pakistan
The Senate of Pakistan is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan. Elections are held every three years for one half of the senate and each senator has a term of six years...
in the Pakistani Cabinet was in excess of the maximum number which the country's Constitution
Constitution of Pakistan
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the supreme law of Pakistan. Known as the Constitution of 1973, it was drafted by the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and, following additions by the opposition parties, was approved by the legislative assembly on April 10, 1973...
allows. The Constitution states clearly that not more than one-fourth of the total federal ministers can be taken from the Senate. 39 of the Cabinet's 59 members are federal ministers, and 10 of the 39 are members of the Senate.
2010 tax scandal
A disclosure published by Geo TVGeo TV
Geo TV or Geo Television is a Pakistani television network, founded by Mr. Mir Shakil ur Rehman in May 2002 and owned by Independent Media Corporation. The channel began test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning 1 October 2002...
in September 2010 revealed that 24 government ministers did not pay income tax at all. Four ministers paid below Rs 10,000, 15 ministers had paid between Rs 10,000 and Rs 100,000. Only two ministers out of 61 had paid more than one million rupees. The article highlighted Prime Minister Gillani
Yousaf Raza Gillani
Yousuf Raza Gilani is the current prime minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He was nominated as Prime Minister by the PPP, with the support of its coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League , Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Muttahida Qaumi Movement, on 22 March 2008...
who had not paid any taxes for the three consecutive years for which figures had been made available to the journalist. The results were based on 2008 figures obtained from the Election Commission of Pakistan
Election Commission of Pakistan
The Election Commission of Pakistan is an independent and autonomous constitutional body charged with the function of conducting transparent, free, fair and impartial elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies. The holding of elections to the office of the President and the Senate are,...
.
2011 resignation
On 9 February 2011, Pakistan's ministers on Wednesday submitted their resignations to the prime minister, who intends to appoint a smaller cabinet in order to reduce government spending at a time of economic crisis.Cabinet members
| Incumbent | Party | Office | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Ministers | ||||
| Yousaf Raza Gillani Yousaf Raza Gillani Yousuf Raza Gilani is the current prime minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He was nominated as Prime Minister by the PPP, with the support of its coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League , Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Muttahida Qaumi Movement, on 22 March 2008... |
PPP | Prime Minister | ||
| Arbab Alamgir Khan Arbab Alamgir Khan Arbab Alamgir Khan is a politician from Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province , Pakistan now khyber pukhton khowa. Arbab Alamgir Khan is the current Minister of Communications in the Cabinet of Pakistan. Khan was elected from NA-2 Peshawar-II to the National Assembly of Pakistan... |
PPP | Communication | ||
| Ahmad Mukhtar | PPP | Defence | ||
| Maula Bakhsh Chandio | PPP | Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs | ||
| Firdous Ashiq Awan | PPP | Information and Broadcasting | ||
| Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Abdul Hafeez Shaikh is a Pakistani economist and a politician from Sindh province, Pakistan. Dr. Shaikh is the current Finance Minister in the Cabinet of Pakistan. Dr. Shaikh was elected as a Member of the Senate from the Pakistan Peoples Party platform.... |
PPP | Finance, Revenue, Planning and Development, Economic Affairs and Statistics. | ||
| Hina Rabbani Khar Hina Rabbani Khar Hina Rabbani Khar is a Pakistani politician and the current Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Appointed in July of 2011, she is the first female and the youngest person to ever head Pakistani's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.... |
PPP | Foreign Affairs and Finance, Economic Affairs and Statistics | ||
| Syed Naveed Qamer | PPP | Water & Power | ||
| Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour is a former senior vice President in the Awami National Party and present Federal Railways minister in Pakistan. A present and former three time Federal Minister in Pakistan, he has played a significant role in the ANP and its predecessor, the National Awami Party... |
ANP Awami National Party The Awami National Party is an Pashtun nationalist, socialist, centre-left political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International... |
Railways | ||
| Khurshid Shah | PPP | Religious Affairs | ||
| Makhdoom Ameen Faheem | PPP | Commerce & Trade | ||
| Makhdoom Sahabuddin | PPP | Textile | ||
| Manzoor Wattoo | PPP | Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan | ||
| Rehman Malik Rehman Malik 27 April 2009 He has been the interior adviser since 27 March 2008.Senator A. Rehman Malik is a Pakistani politician, member of the Senate of Pakistan, and the current Interior Minister of Pakistan under the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani administration. His Second name is Shetan Malik and he... |
PPP | Interior | ||
| Mir Changez Jamali | ANP | Science & Technology | ||
| Sardar Alhaj Muhammad Umar Goriej | PPP | Postal Services | ||
| Samina Khalid Ghurki Samina Khalid Ghurki Samina Khalid Ghurki is a Pakistani politician, from the Pakistan Peoples Party. Samina Ghurki was born on 13 August 1956 in Lahore, Punjab. She was elected to the National Assembly for her first term in 2002 from the constituency of NA-130, the largest of Lahore. She was re-elected in 2008, by... |
PPP | Environment and Women Development | ||
| Ministers of State | ||||
| Chaudhry Imtiaz Safdar Waraich | PPP | Communications | ||
| Arbab Muhammad Zahir Khan | ANP | Defence | ||
| Sardar Salim Haider Khan | PPP | Defence Production | ||
| Ghulam Farid Kathia | PPP | Education | ||
| Mir Dost Muhammad Mazari | PPP | Water & Power | ||
| Rafique Ahmed Jamali | PPP | Food and Agriculture | ||
| Salman Bashir Salman Bashir Salman Bashir is a Pakistani diplomat and the current Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 26 April, 2008. Bashir did his masters in History and LLB before joining the Foreign Service of Pakistan in February 1976... |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
Foreign Affairs | ||
| Muhammad Afzal Sandhu | PPP | Health | ||
| Muhammad Tariq Anis | PPP | Housing and Works | ||
| Ayatollah Durrani | PPP | Industries and Production | ||
| Syed Samsam Ali Shah Bokhari | PPP | Information and Broadcasting | ||
| Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi | PPP | Interior | ||
| Abdul Raziq | FATA | Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas | ||
| Masood Abbas | ANP | Local Government and Rural Development | ||
| Mahreen Anwar Raja | PPP | Parliamentary Affairs | ||
| Nabil Gabol | PPP | Ports and Shipping | ||
| Muhammad Jadam Mangrio | PML-F | Railways | ||
| Shagufta Jumani | PPP | Religious Affairs | ||
External links
- Web gateway official Pakistan government portal