Punjab cabinet expansion ‘surprises’ PTI

LAHORE:

At a time when Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan is working hard to get the Punjab Assembly dissolved, Chief Minister Parvez Elahi’s decision to nominate Khayal Ahmad Kastro as another provincial minister has caused consternation among PTI members.

To add insult to injury, a PTI insider said that even the party chairman was unaware of the provincial cabinet enlargement and Mr. Kastro’s appointment as provincial minister. Mr. Kastro was also the cultural minister during the reign of CM Usman Buzdar.

Khyal Kastro was sworn in as the provincial minister on Wednesday at the Governor House by Governor Balighur Rehman. Secretary I&C Zahoor Hussain read the appointment announcement aloud.

Chief Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Principal Secretary to Governor Nabeel Awan, Punjab Minister Basharat Raja, MPAs, and administrative secretaries from several departments all attended the swearing-in event along with Chief Minister Parvez Elahi.

Despite the fact that this event was not troubling, sources believe PTI president Khan warned Mr. Kastro that his appointment as a minister had diminished the party’s message.

General elections won’t be conducted until October of next year, according to the PDM-led administration in the Centre. Additionally, Mr. Elahi stated that he did not anticipate elections happening in the upcoming four months.