Pakistani cabinet of ministers expanded

Islamabad, Nov 3 (UNI) Pakistani cabinet of ministers was today expanded with induction of 40 new full ministers and deputy ministers.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath to the newly inducted ministers at a ceremony held here at presidential palace and attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani besides senior civil and military officials.

With the induction of 22 federal ministers and 18 deputy ministers, the strength of the cabinet has risen to 55.

The PPP-led coalition government had come into being after February 18 elections. Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) quit the coalition in July after the Pakistan Peoples Party failed to implement an understanding it had reached with the PML for restoration of judges deposed by former President Pervez Musharraf after imposing emergency in the country in November 2007.

Musharraf himself resigned after eight years of tumultous rule in August over threats of his impeachment for repeated violations of the constitution.

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