Pakistan forms caretaker cabinet

Portfolios were today allocated to the 14 members of Pakistan’s interim administration, with caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso retaining the key Foreign and Defence Ministries.Khoso allocated portfolios to the ministers who were sworn in yesterday by President Asif Ali Zardari, according to local media reports.As expected, senior journalist Arif Nizami was given the information portfolio and Ahmer Bilal Soofi, an expert on international law who has advised the Pakistan government on matters like the Mumbai attacks, the law, human rights and parliamentary affairs portfolios.Malik Habib, a retired inspector general of police, was named the caretaker Interior and Narcotics Control Minister.Musaddaq Malik was given the crucial water and power portfolio and will have to play a key role in tackling a crippling energy crisis.Shahzada Ahsan Ashraf Sheik was allocated the industries and production portfolio, Maqbool H H Rahmatoola the textiles and commerce portfolios, Abdul Malik Kasi the railways portfolio and Asadullah Mandokhel the port and shipping and communications portfolios.Mir Hassan Domki will be the caretaker Food Security Minister, Sania Nishter the caretaker Science and Technology and Education Minister, Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel the caretaker Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Younis Soomro the caretaker Housing and Works Minister and Shahzada Jamal the caretaker Religious and National Harmony Minister.Khoso retained the key Foreign and Defence Ministries.