Familial links, nepotism dominate KP cabinet

• Omar Ayub, Asaq Qaiser's relatives part of Gandapur's cabinet.
• Sher Afzal Marwat's brother also appointed as advisor to CM.
• Cabinet members appointed on "merit" after PTI founder's nod.

PESHAWAR: Nepotism and familial links seem to dominate the 15-member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet that was "finalised" by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in consultation with the province's Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

The 15-member cabinet that was sworn in by KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali on Wednesday includes a notable number of relatives of PTI's central leadership.

Among those who secured a seat in the province's primary executive body include party's Secretary General Omar Ayub's cousin, Arshad Ayub Khan and Aqib Ullah Khan — younger brother of senior party leader Asad Qaiser.

Faisal Tarakai, brother of senior provincial leader Shahram Khan Tarakai, along with former federal minister Noorul Haq Qadri's nephew Adnan Qadri have also been included in Gandapur's cabinet.

Meanwhile, prominent party leader Sher Afzal Marwat's brother, Khalid Latif has been appointed as the chief minister's special advisor.

Other cabinet members include Shakeel Ahmad, Fazal Hakim Khan, Muhammad Sajjad, Meena Khan, Fazal Shakoor, Nazir Ahmad Abbasi, Pakhtoon Yar Khan, Aftab Alam Khan Afridi, Khaleeq Ur Rehman, Syed Qasim Ali Shah and Muhammad Zahir Shah.

Furthermore, Muzzammil Aslam, Syed Fakhar Jehan, Muhammad Ali Saif, Mashal Azam and Zahid Chanzeb have been appointed as advisors to the chief minister.

Meanwhile, PTI's Shah Toor, while speaking to Geo News, said that the cabinet members have been appointed on "merit" following the approval of the PTI founder.

As per the party’s internal perception about Gandapur's nomination for the KP top slot, the PTI workers backed the decision and termed his nomination the best choice.

The 15-member cabinet was sworn in after Gandapur received a nod of approval from the incarcerated party founder after a meeting with him in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

After finalising the cabinet members, the chief minister did not disclose their names, as he was under pressure by certain factions within the party to accommodate their nominees, The News learnt from sources.

Interestingly, a majority of those considered and approved as cabinet members by the PTI founder were unaware of their selection.