ISLAMABAD: After conclusion of the negotiations between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) over sharing of the ministries in the federal cabinet, PML-Q's minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi was appointed as the Deputy prime minister of the country and 15 other members of his party were included in the cabinet on Monday, DawnNews reported.
In a notification issued in the late hours of Monday, Elahi has been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan.
According to the notification, appointment of the deputy prime minister will be implemented on immediate basis and will remain valid until a review order is issued.
"Elahi will not possess the powers of the prime minister." the notification adds.
The first job Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf performed after taking charge of his office was an approval for creation of a post of deputy prime minister to fulfil a demand of the PML-Q.
President Asif Ali Zardari administered oath to the new members belonging to PML-Q at a ceremony at the President House.
Sardar Bahadur Khan Sehar, Liaquat Abbas Bhatti, Sardar Talib Hussain Nakai, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Anwar Ali Cheema, Ghous Bukhsh Mehr, Jam Muhammad Yousaf and Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain took oath as federal ministers.
Rana Asif Tauseef, Malik Nauman Ahmed Langrial, Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf, Senator Saeed Khan Mandokhel, Chaudhry Ghias Ahmed Mela, Akram Masih Gill and Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood were inducted as ministers of state.
Basharat Raja will be Advisor to the prime minister.
Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Faisal Saleh Hayat, Raza Hayat refused to take oath saying that they will not compromise on the principles while Raza Hayat demanded the federal ministry.
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, PML- Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani and Cabinet members attended the ceremony.