What are the reasons behind major cabinet shuffle?

ISLAMABAD: The reasons behind the major cabinet shuffle have emerged, with performance being at the core of issue, sources informed on Friday.

Within a year, Prime Minister Imran Khan changed the 'batting order' of his team — a decision, sources said is based on performance, confidential reports, monitoring and public opinion.

It is also reported that the prime minister was not satisfied with the performance of some of the ministers and the decision to remove them was taken last month already.

According to sources, PM Imran Khan continued to complain to Asad Umar about inflation and at one point even told him that his policies were creating hurdles for the poor.

Sources further said that former finance minister’s words of comfort failed to satisfy the premier and the issue of economy led to heated debates among ministers in the last two sessions of the cabinet.

Due to exorbitant increase in gas bills, and immense pressure over the deteriorating situation, it was decided to change Ghulam Sarwar Khan as the petroleum minister, said sources.

The prime minister was also not content with the performance of health minister Amir Kiani due to hike in prices of medicines and it cost him the ministry.

Sources said that Fawad Chaudhry’s undue criticism on other ministers led to his removal from the post, although he got the new ministry as per his own wish.

It was stated that Sheheryar Afridi didn’t show any impressive performance, hence, was removed from the office.

Sources said that the decision to give charge of information ministry to Firdous Ashiq Awan was taken a month before and Imran Khan himself called her to hand over new responsibility.

Azam Swati, Ijaz Shah, and Abdul Hafeez Sheikh were given new responsibilities after consultation, sources added.