LAHORE, April 4: Besides changing portfolios of ministers and introducing new faces in the cabinet, the provincial government also intends to reduce the size of its advisers and special assistants. Official sources say that ministers with poor performance will be given some other ministries, or replaced.

They say the ministers included Dr Ashfaqur Rehman (Fisheries and Forest), Syed Haroon Ahmad Sultan (Livestock), Arshad Khan Lodhi (Agriculture), Syed Raza Ali Gillani (Public Health), Akhtar Hussain Rizvi (Labour), Muhammad Ejaz Shafi (Baitul Maal) and Ms Qudsia Lodhi (Special Education).

Mr Ejaz Shafi and Syed Raza Ali Gilani could be given some other ministries.

Officials say the number of special assistants and advisers to the chief minister will be curtailed in view of a recent court ruling.