The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir distributed ministerial portfolios on Saturday as it prepared to shift focus from cabinet formation to active governance. The Services and General Administration Department issued formal notification of the assignments following the oath-taking ceremony held the previous day.
Minister Sardar Mir Akbar received the Physical Planning and Housing portfolio, while Col (retd) Waqar Ahmed Noor was assigned Forests and Fisheries. Engineer Umair Naeem took School Education, Azhar Sadiq received Colleges and Higher Education, and Abdul Rehman Arain was given Tourism, Industries and Mineral Resources. Raja Saqib Majeed obtained Energy and Water Resources, Raja Riasat received Rehabilitation and Revenue, and Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi was assigned the Health Department.
Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani retained multiple major portfolios including Law, Finance, Planning and Development, Local Government, Communications and Works, and Home Affairs. Officials indicated these arrangements remain in effect pending the completion of elections in seven Poonch Division seats and a possible cabinet expansion. The government stated that cabinet members would begin departmental briefings and review ongoing projects with the aim of improving service delivery and implementing its policy priorities.