LAHORE: In another extension to the Punjab Cabinet, two ministers took the oath on Monday, media reported.
A swearing-in ceremony was held at the Governor House, Punjab, where Governor Sardar Saleem Hyder administered the oath to the new ministers.
Rana Muhammad Iqbal, former Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, and Manshaullah Butt, former Local Bodies Minister, took the oath of their offices.
Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan and Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman, and the entire Punjab Cabinet attended the ceremony.
Newly appointed Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, Anushay Rehman, was also present.
Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman read out the appointment notification during the ceremony. A large number of political and social personalities were present at the ceremony.
The official allocation of portfolios is expected to be announced following the oath-taking ceremony.
Earlier in the day, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has sharply criticized newly appointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sohail Afridi, ridiculing his rise to power and questioning his claims of political independence.
Speaking to reporters, Bukhari, while referring to the ouster of Ali Amin Gandapur, said that the chief minister did not fall because of a conspiracy or a no-confidence motion, but was “slaughtered in a domestic feud between two women.”
Taking aim at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, Imran Khan, she alleged that former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was appointed at the insistence of Imran Khan’s wife, while Ali Amin Gandapur was removed on the wish of his Baji (sister).
“Chief ministers are being chosen and dismissed over household rivalries — one at the wife’s request, the other at the sister’s,” she said.
Azma Bukhari also mocked Sohail Afridi’s remarks in the provincial assembly, where he claimed he came into office on merit.
“Sohail Afridi says he didn’t come on a chit, but you did. If you say you came through your own strength, then which contest did you actually win?” she retorted.
Criticizing Afridi’s leadership, Azma Bukhari said the new chief minister talks big but hasn’t uttered a single word about development or governance.
Turning to broader issues, the Punjab Information Minister emphasized that the Punjab government remains fully prepared to tackle terrorism or any destabilizing attempts.
“Punjab has experience dealing with such threats — we’re always ready,” she said, warning that any aggression or adventurism by any province would not be tolerated.
“The borders are already tense. If anyone tries an adventure, we are prepared. Pakistan has always responded firmly — we respect everyone but won’t tolerate terrorism,” she added.
Azma Bukhari concluded that Punjab remains alert and committed to progress, reaffirming that the Local Government Bill will soon be passed in the Punjab Assembly. –Agencies
