Punjab cabinet expansion ‘surprises’ PTI stalwarts

Published December 8, 2022
Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi (right) attends the oath-taking ceremony of Khayal Ahmad Kastro on Wednesday. — DawnNewsTV
Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi (right) attends the oath-taking ceremony of Khayal Ahmad Kastro on Wednesday. — DawnNewsTV

LAHORE: At the time when Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan is going all out to get the Punjab Assembly dissolved, Chief Minister Parvez Elahi’s move to appoint Khayal Ahmad Kastro as another provincial minister has created ripples in the ranks of the PTI.

Adding insult to injury, a source in the PTI said even the party chairman did not know about the expansion in the provincial cabinet and Mr Kastro being appointed as provincial minister.

Mr Kastro had also served as culture minister during CM Usman Buzdar’s tenure.

Meanwhile, Governor Balighur Rehman administered oath of office to Khyal Kastro as the provincial minister at the Governor House on Wednesday.

Secretary I&C Zahoor Hussain read out the notification regarding the appointment.

Chief Minister Parvez Elahi attended the oath-taking ceremony, which was also attended by Chief Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Principal Secretary to Governor Nabeel Awan, Punjab Minister Basharat Raja, MPAs and administrative secretaries of different departments.

Sources claimed that PTI chief Khan told Mr Kastro though this development was not problematic, his becoming a minister had belittled the party’s narrative.

In the meantime, the PDM’s government in the Centre was insisting that general elections would not be held before October next year. Mr Elahi has also said he did not see elections taking place in the next four months.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...