28 June 2004	Monday	09 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

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ISLAMABAD, June 27: Most members of the outgoing federal cabinet are likely to be inducted into the new cabinet to be headed by the prime minister-designate, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, sources said on Sunday.

As Chaudhry Shujaat started consultations with leaders of his Pakistan Muslim League and the allied parties on the formation of the new government, these sources hinted at inclusion of some new ministers to fill up the ministries that had remained vacant under the tenure of former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, including those of labour, overseas Pakistanis, parliamentary affairs and law and justice.

The expansion, the sources said, was needed to enhance the representation of the coalition partners in the cabinet. They added that there might also be a reshuffle of some ministerial portfolios.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Senator Nisar Memon have emerged as top contenders for the information ministry as Sheikh Rashid is considered unlikely to continue with the portfolio because of his recent row with the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, the sources said.

The parliamentary group of the coalition parties is scheduled to meet on Monday to endorse the decisions taken in the wake of the political change and chalk out a strategy for Tuesday's special session of the National Assembly when Chaudhry Shujaat would seek a vote of confidence.

A large number of parliamentarians, politicians and media representatives visited the Punjab House to greet Chaudhry Shujaat, said a press release.

The parliamentarians expressed full confidence in the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat and hoped that the democratic process would be strengthened in the country.

During these meetings, Chaudhry Shujaat tried to know whether the allied parties wanted to make some changes in their nominees for the new cabinet.

Later, in a meeting with PPP (which has come into being after a merger between the PPP-Sherpao and the PPP-Patriots) chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao at the latter's residence, Chaudhry Shujaat said it would be ensured that every coalition partner received a fair share in the government.

Party leaders Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Faisal Saleh Hayat, Nauraiz Shakoor, Raza Hayat Heraj, Raees Munir Ahmed and other PPP parliamentarians were present on the occasion.

Chaudhry Shujaat said he was not a caretaker or interim prime minister but would be an elected premier after getting the vote of confidence from the National Assembly.

Mr Sherpao hoped that Chaudhry Shujaat would take the coalition partners into confidence in the decision-making process. "If your allies are strong you will be strong as well," he stressed.

Chaudhry Shujaat called on Mr Jamali at the Prime Minister's House. He also went to see the parliamentary party leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Dr Farooq Sattar, at the latter's suit in the parliamentary lodges.

PML Secretary-General Mushahid Hussain, Senate's deputy chairman Khalilur Rahman, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Majeed Malik, Syed Safwanullah, Babar Ghauri and Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain were present at the meeting.

Chaudhry Shujaat assured the MQM members that every effort would be made to restore peace and stability in Karachi.

He said that good governance and political stability would be priorities of his government. He renewed the commitment that economic policies pursued during the last four years would be continued.

APP adds: During Chaudhry Shujaat's meeting with the PPP leaders, Rao Sikandar Iqbal signed the nomination papers of the prime minister-designate as proposer for the post and Mr Sherpao seconded it.

Mr Sherpao proposed that a conciliatory committee should be formed to address the grievances of the coalition partners, if there were any.

Talking to journalists later, Chaudhry Shujaat said that the coalition government would be strengthened so that it could contest the next election with full force.