ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, a top leader of the ruling PPP’s key ally PML-Q, has been appointed as Pakistan’s deputy prime minister.
Besides, 15 PML-Q lawmakers have been included in new Premier Raja Pervez Ashraf’s council of ministers taking its strength to 53.
66-year-old Elahi, who already holds the defence production and industries portfolios, has been appointed the deputy prime minister with immediate effect and until further orders, a notification issued by the Cabinet division said on Monday night.
The move will not confer on him “any powers of the Prime Minister in any manner whatsoever”, it said.
President Asif Ali Zardari administered oath of office to another 15 ministers from PML-Q during a ceremony held at the presidency on Monday evening.
Eight lawmakers were inducted as federal ministers while seven were inducted as ministers of state. (PTI)
