KARACHI, June 12: Two former provincial ministers were administered oath in the new Sindh cabinet at the Governor's House here on Saturday night while a decision about other port folios could not be made owing to certain "unresolved matters".

Syed Sardar Ahmad of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Chaudhri Iftekhar Ahmad of PML(F) retained the port folios of finance and cooperation and law and parliamentary affairs, respectively.

Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, who administered the oath in the presence of chief minister Dr Arbab Rahim, is leaving for London Sunday morning during which he is expected to consult the party leadership on some of the issues connected with the cabinet formation.

In the previous coalition government, the MQM had retained certain specific ministries. But sources said that this time the problem could be on the Home and one or two other port folios. They said that perhaps the chief minister wanted to retain with him the portfolio of home department, but the MQM was insisting on continuing its control. Mr Aftab Shaikh had held the port folio as an advisor.

Although presentation of the provincial budget has been rescheduled for June 16, in view of certain hiccups in cabinet formation, sources did not rule the possibility of a further delay.