PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has formed a 13-member cabinet, reportedly ignoring instructions from PTI founder Imran Khan. Khan had advised keeping the cabinet small, with five to eight members only. He also recommended excluding certain individuals, including Aqibullah Khan, Faisal Turki, and former provincial minister Shakeel Khan.
Despite these directions, the cabinet was sworn in on Friday by the KP Governor with 13 members. Sources say Khan had suggested including some senior party leaders previously overlooked. However, his guidance was largely set aside in the final formation.
Read more: 13-member KP cabinet sworn in
Provincial Minister Mina Khan Afridi stated that Imran Khan did not issue formal orders. Rather, he sent a message to keep the cabinet concise and let Chief Minister Sohail Afridi make the final selections. She added that cabinet reshuffles could happen anytime at Khan’s discretion.
The new cabinet includes a mix of senior, experienced ministers and younger politicians, aiming to balance expertise and fresh energy. Members were selected across various portfolios to manage provincial governance efficiently.
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Officials emphasized that this cabinet structure provides flexibility for adjustments in the future. Imran Khan retains the authority to add or remove ministers as deemed necessary, ensuring party control remains intact.