ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister elect Imran Khan is likely to keep the portfolioof interior minister with him.
The PTI leadership, in a meeting at Bani Gala Thursday, held threadbarediscussion on formation of governments in the Punjab and at the Centre,besides considering the members of Imran Khan’s cabinet, the Punjab chiefminister and the president of Pakistan.
Sources in the party said the prime minister-in-waiting wished to keep theportfolio of interior ministry. The interior minister is considered assenior minister in the federal government. There are at least threecontenders for the slot, including former KP chief minister Pervez Khattak,Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Shafqat Mahmood.
Background interviews with senior leaders of the PTI indicated Khan wantsno controversy over the cabinet portfolios and desires to retain interiorministry with him. It is likely that Pervez Khattak will be given anotherimportant portfolio.
Similarly, sources within the party also confirmed Dr Shireen Mazari is nowout of the race for defence minister. Dr Mazari was earlier a strongcontender for the slot. “Discussions so far held within the PTI indicatethe party will consider someone else other than Dr Mazari for the slot ofdefence minister,” a party leader said.
According to a PTI leader, final decision on a number of cabinet portfolioshas yet to be taken. He said it has been finalised that Shah MahmoodQureshi will be the next foreign minister