Fakhar Imam takes oath as National Food Security minister

Syed Fakhar Imam has taken the oath of office as Federal Minister for National Food Security.

President Dr Arif Alvi administered him oath at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Fakhar Imam was given the Food Security portfolio as part of major cabinet reshuffle on Monday, which came following the FIA reports on sugar and flour crises in the country.

The FIA reports had held a number of government officials for the crisis. Especially, the report on sugar crisis brought a lot of pressure on the outgoing Food Security minister Khusro Bakhtyar, who requested the Prime Minister to take this ministry back.

He has now been given the Economic Affairs portfolio – another key ministry.

The changes in cabinet included removing Abdul Razak Daud as PM Advisor on Trade as well as Chairman Sugar Advisory Board.

Shehzad Arbab was removed as Advisor to Prime Minister while the resignation of Khalid Maqbool Siddique of MQM was also accepted.

Also, Hammad Azhar was made Minister for Industries and Ameenul Haq given telecommunication portfolio.

Babar Awan, a former PPP leader, was made PM Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs.

In yet another change, Azam Sawati was made Federal Minister for Narcotics Control.