LANDI KOTAL, Feb 15: Despite apparent divisions and differences among their ranks, tribal parliamentarians have reportedly managed to secure two berths in the federal cabinet.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Fata MNAs and senators with Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali in Islamabad on Friday. PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who also attended the meeting, reportedly convinced the prime minister to oblige the tribal lawmakers with cabinet slots, sources told Dawn.

Sources said that Mr Jamali had agreed to induct onefederal minister and a state minister in the cabinet from Fata representatives in the National Assembly and Senate.

Khyber Agency Senator Hamidullah Afridi said that they were given assurance by Mr Jamali that Senator Malik Ajmal and Dr G. G. Jamal would be sworn in as federal and state ministers. "It is not yet clear as to who would be the federal or state minister," Mr Afridi said.