Pakistan's new caretaker Cabinet takes oath

KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday appointed a new 16-member Cabinet, which is to hold elections due later this year but could be delayed.

Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Alvi administered the oath of office to members of the caretaker federal cabinet, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. pic.twitter.com/sWC2grAWHx

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 17, 2023

President Arif Alvi administered the oath of office to the new ministers at the President House in Islamabad.

Pakistan's former US Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani was appointed as foreign minister, while ex-central bank chief Shamshad Akhter was named finance minister, new Information Minister Murtaza Solangi confirmed.

Other members of the interim Cabinet include Sarfraz Bugti as interior minister, Lt. Gen (retd.) Anwer Ali Haider as defense minister and Umer Saif as IT minister.

The election commission on Thursday said new constituencies based on the latest census would be finalized by Dec. 14, effectively delaying the general elections by several months.

Under the Constitution, elections should be held within 90 days of the dissolution of parliament's lower house.