PESHAWAR, Oct 22: NWFP Caretaker Chief Minister Shamsul Mulk on Monday announced the names of three cabinet ministers in the first phase of inducting a full-fledged caretaker government.

The most surprising appointment is that of Shehzada Gustasip who was Leader of Opposition in the now dissolved NWFP assembly.

Mr Gustasip was an independent MPA from Mansehra, but he led the opposition comprising the PML (Q), ANP, PPP (P), PPP (S) and some independent MPAs. He had served as a minister in the NWFP in the past.

The other two ministers are: former NWFP chief secretary Azam Khan and former MPA Bakht Baidar Khan. The new ministers will take oath of offices on Wednesday.

According to an official announcement, Mr Gustasip will get the portfolio of home affairs, Azam Khan, finance, and Bakht Baidar Khan, labour department.

Mr Gustasip told Dawn that he was not expecting to be made a minister and the announcement came as news to him.

Asked whether this meant that he would not contest the next elections, he said, he would make a comment on Tuesday.