ISLAMABAD, Aug 14 (TNS): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s 47-member cabinet has been expanded further after he approved the appointment of five advisers and head of the Planning Commission.
According to a statement issued by the PM Office, Sartaj Aziz has been appointed deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, with the status of a federal minister. Mr Aziz was earlier an adviser to the PM on foreign affairs, in the absence of a full-fledged foreign minister.
The position was previously held by Ahsan Iqbal, who has now been entrusted with the all-important task of managing the affairs of Interior Division.
Retired Lt Gen Nasser Janjua has been reinstated as the National Security Adviser, the post he held before the Nawaz Sharif cabinet was dissolved.
In addition, four advisers to the PM were appointed without being allocated any portfolio. The advisers are PML-N leaders Amir Muqam, Sardar Mehtab, Jam Mashooq Ali and Irfan Siddiqui, who was an adviser to Mr Sharif for national and literary heritage.
