Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari is expected to resume his duties as Pakistan’s foreign minister after the ruling PML-N and the Pakistan People’s Party, which shares power with the PPP, advanced their power-sharing agreement, according to sources.
Bilawal is set to re-join the cabinet as foreign minister, sources said on Wednesday. The sources said that an agreement was reached between the party leaders during their recent meeting.
The sources said that while Bilawal initially did not want to be part of the cabinet, he has now agreed to be the foreign minister again. The sources added that the two sides are still discussing the modalities and timing of the PPP’s entry into the cabinet.
According to insider information, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his desire for the PPP to join the cabinet prior to the upcoming budget presentation in early June. However, it remains uncertain whether the PPP will join the cabinet before or after the budget. What is certain, though, is that the PPP will be included in the cabinet come June, as confirmed by reliable sources.
In order to make way for Bilawal to assume the role of the top diplomat, the current foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, has been appointed as the deputy prime minister. Sources reveal that Dar’s office is being prepared at the Prime Minister’s Office, and he will operate from there once he vacates the Foreign Office for Bilawal.
It is worth noting that Dar never felt entirely comfortable as the foreign minister, as his true passion lies in overseeing the Finance Ministry. However, Shehbaz and other members of the PML-N were keen on keeping him at a distance. Nevertheless, Dar managed to persuade the prime minister to appoint him as the deputy prime minister. In this role, he may potentially have the opportunity to once again oversee the government’s economic policies.
In the meantime, the PPP has expressed the belief that Bilawal significantly improved his local and international standing during his tenure as foreign minister in the PDM government for 16 months.
They are of the opinion that Bilawal’s reappointment to the Foreign Office would be advantageous for both him and his party. The final decision on whether the PPP will join the cabinet will be made by its Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Following the February 8 elections, the PPP decided to support the PML-N in forming the government but declined to become part of the cabinet. However, there was an understanding between the two parties that the PPP would join the government at a later stage.
Since the PML-N fulfilled its commitment by allowing the PPP to appoint its members as governors in three provinces and securing two other important positions, the presidency and the chairmanship of the Senate, the PPP is expected to reciprocate by joining the cabinet.
Sources within the Foreign Office have stated that Bilawal is a suitable candidate for the position, as he demonstrated his capabilities as a competent foreign minister during his previous 16-month tenure before the elections.
