ISLAMABAD – A consultation is underway in PTI to form an 18-20 memberfederal cabinet.

Dr Arif Alvi and Shafqat Mahmood are being considered for the position ofSpeaker National Assembly while the slot of deputy speaker can go to ZartajGul Wazir or to a member of a coalition partner.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi is a strong contender for the Foreign Minister.

There are no surprises for the Finance Minister slot as the party chiefhimself had confirmed days before the election that Asad Umar would be histop choice for the position. Former Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak’s nameis being considered for Interior ministry.

Odds are in favour for Fawad Chaudhry and Shireen Mazari to become DefenceMinister and Information Minister respectively.

The party is considering to give Ministry of Railways to Awami MuslimLeague Chairperson Shiekh Rashid Ahmed.

Sources have said that Makhdoom Khushro Bakhtiyar, Murad Saeed, SenatorChaudhry Sarwar, Azam Swati, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Ramesh Kumar, Amir LiaquatHussain and Shahriyar Afridi are also expected to be included in thefederal cabinet.