MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: As many as 11 MPAs on Monday took oath as provincial ministers of Punjab at a simple but impressive ceremony held here at Governor’s House on Monday.

Governor Punjab Malik Rafique Rajwana administered the oath to the new cabinet members. Those who took oath as Punjab Ministers include Jehangir Khanzada, Naghma Mushtaq, Amanatullah Khan Shadi Khel, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Sheikh Allauddin, Muhammad Manshaullah Butt, Mehr Ijaz Ahmed Achlana, Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Muhammad Naeem Akhtar Khan Bhabha and Malik Ahmed Yar Hanjra.

With induction of 11 more ministers in the Punjab cabinet, its strength has reached 31. Besides, these Ministers, Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan MPA and Rana Muhammad Asghar MPA have been appointed as Special Assistant to Chief Minister while Rana Maqbool Ahmed and Azmul Haq have been made Advisors to the Chief Minister.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan were also present on the occasion.

Portfolios of the new ministers would be announced later.

It may be noted that Punjab Chief Minister was facing criticism for retaining the portfolios of a number of important provincial departments.

After taking oath, the newly appointed ministers including Khawaja Salman Rafique, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri and Muhammad Naeem Akhtar Khan Bhabha visited the shrine of great saint Hazrat Data Gunj Buksh (RA).

They prayed for the country’s integrity, solidarity and well being of people.

Later, talking to media, they expressed their resolve to work whole heartedly for the uplift of people. They said they would try their best to come upto the expectations of their leadership.