Pakistan president swears in new Cabinet after tense week

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Friday swore in a new Cabinet, following a week of turmoil that included the election of a new prime minister after the resignation of his predecessor, who was dismissed from office by the country’s Supreme Court for concealing family assets.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s 43-member Cabinet includes Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, who served as defense minister in the government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif until July 28, when Sharif was disqualified by the court.

Since coming into power in 2013, Sharif ’s government had no foreign minister, though the job was often handled by one of his advisers, Sartaj Aziz.

Abbasi named a young lawmaker, Khuram Dastgir, as defense minister. The move was seen as an effort by Abbasi to avoid confrontation with the military.

Among those included in the Cabinet was Ishaq Dar, a close relative of Sharif who previously served as finance minister. His inclusion came as a surprise because of a Supreme Court order that he be charged with corruption.

Sharif ’s interior minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, was not in the new Cabinet — he had resigned earlier this month over disagreements with Sharif. Khan was replaced by Ahsan Iqbal, who was minister for planning and development.

Abbasi’s government issued portfolios to the new ministers hours after Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath of office to the ministers — all considered Sharif loyalists.

Abbasi replaced the 67-year-old Sharif, who was disqualified by the country’s top court for concealing assets, specifically that his son’s Dubai-based company listed a monthly salary for him. Sharif claimed he never received any of that money.

Sharif ’s removal has been criticized by legal experts, who say the Supreme Court judges were influenced by the country’s powerful military, which has had a rocky relationship with Sharif.

A.K. Dogar, a top legal expert, said last Friday’s disqualification was an “inappropriate action” by the court.

Shakil Adil The Associated Press Supporters of deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif rally in favor of their leader Thursday in Karachi, Pakistan. The Supreme Court disqualified thriceelected Sharif for concealing assets.