ISLAMABAD: There is a widespread perception that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will accept cabinet positions either before or after the federal budget, subsequent to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s meeting with Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on 3 May 2024.

PPP sources told Business Recorder that during the meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to accept the portfolio of foreign affairs prior to the budget speech in parliament.

The final decision will be taken by the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), they further stated. This was confirmed by a PML-N source who told BR that PPP has sought time from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wants to consult the party’s CEC prior to taking any decision.

In background discussions with PPP leaders, it was learnt that majority of the PPP leaders are in favour of the part becoming part of the federal cabinet with Bilawal as the foreign minister and Hina Rabbani Khar as minister of state for foreign affairs.

Consultative process is underway within the PPP whether to join the cabinet before or after the federal budget, which portfolios to accept and the proposed candidates for each portfolio, sources further contended.

A PPP leader on condition of anonymity told BR that in the event that the party leadership accepts the Prime Minister’s offer it would have eight ministries adding that the PPP and PML-N are discussing details as well as the timing of the PPP’s formal induction into the federal cabinet.

They claimed that Bilawal who was initially reluctant to join the cabinet has been given a green light to become the foreign minister for the second time.

Bilawal served effectively as the foreign minister during the PDM coalition government for 16 months, which enhanced his local and international profile.

Sources within the Foreign Office said Bilawal is a good choice for the office of the Foreign Minister given his ‘effective’ diplomacy with major powers, particularly his efforts to repair the Pakistan-US ties that were seriously damaged during PTI government.

Ishaq Dar was appointed as Foreign Minister for the first time on 12 March 2024and with less than two months in the job has not left any lasting impression.

Foreign Office sources stated on condition of strict anonymity that Dar was never comfortable as the foreign minister and spent most of the day with the Prime Minister.

A notification dated 29 April was issued appointing Dar as the deputy prime minister – a ceremonial position – paving the way for Bilawal to take over for the second time.

Dar’s office will shift to the Prime Minister’s Office where he would be allocated a separate office once Bilawal returns to the Foreign Office.

Following February 8 general elections, the PPP announced it would not become part of the federal cabinet in the initial stages and, through an understanding with the PML-N, acquired constitutional positions – presidency, chairmanship of Senate and governors in three provinces.

The portfolio of foreign affairs was offered to Bilawal soon after Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the prime minister, sources further contended.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024