The Imran Khan government was the federal cabinet of Pakistan from 20 August 2018 to 10 April 2022. It was formed by Imran Khan, following general elections on 25 July 2018, which saw the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) come to power. The cabinet had 34 federal ministers, 7 ministers of state, 10 Advisers to the Prime Minister and 35 Special Assistants to the Prime Minister (SAPM), most of whom assumed office on 20 August 2018.[1][2] On 10 April 2022 the government was defeated in a vote of no-confidence against Imran Khan, leading to its subsequent dissolution.[3]
Various ministers and advisors of the cabinet had previously served in the military government of Pervez Musharraf,[4] Out of a total of 21 ministers in 2018; 12 ministers had previously served under Musharraf, while 5 ministers served previously under PPP governments.[5] The PTI ministry saw 4 different finance ministers (Asad Umar, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Hammad Azhar, Shaukat Tarin) from 2018 to 2022. By April 2021 the government had reshuffled six times.[6] During its tenure, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic pressures, and corruption scandals involving Khan's aides and party, the Army increased its influence in civilian governance, with military officials being appointed to various posts.[7] The Imran Khan government was described as a civil-military "Hybrid Regime",[8] while Imran Khan described himself and the military establishment as being on the "same page".[9] However, later tensions developed between the Prime Minister and Gen Qamar Bajwa, eventually leading to a rift.[10]
Khan announced his cabinet soon after taking the oath, he kept the ministry of interior to himself. His choice for ministries was criticized as he came into power on the slogan of Change and Naya Pakistan but most of his appointees were previously ministers during the era of Pervez Musharraf and some served in PPP government which followed Musharraf era.[4][11][12][13][14][15]
He was criticized by supporters and critics for settling for "Diet Reform" as Musharraf pursued rather than the real change that was embodied by the PTI.[16]
To counter that, Imran Khan held meeting with the federal cabinet twice a week and monitor the ministers’ performances regularly.[17]
As a result, Khusro Bakhtiar was shuffled 5 times although he had served as a minister during Musharraf's regime and PML-N coalition government[18]
Shafqat Mehmood was assigned two portfolios and he was commended for his performance during COVID. He had also served as a minister during 1990s and Musharraf regime.[19]
Farogh Naseem has been part of Musharraf's legal team representing him against treason charges which aroused speculation on PTI's stance on if Pervez Musharraf will be tried for treason.[20]Tariq Bashir Cheema has been minister in a past PPP government.[21]
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad was assigned the railways and interior ministry on the basis of his experience as a minister during the Musharraf and PML-N era.[23]
Malik Amin Aslam held same portfolio under Musharraf government but is more of a technocrat than a politician.[29]Abdul Razak Dawood was commerce minister for Musharraf as well.[30]
Imran Khan reshuffled his cabinet for six times during his ministry. One of the cabinet reshuffles was on the directions of the Islamabad High Court that barred un-elected advisers and special assistants from heading the Cabinet committees.[33]
On 18 April 2019, the cabinet saw a reshuffle after Asad Umar stepped down as the finance minister.[34]
On 6 April 2020, the cabinet saw another reshuffle.[35] In late April 2020, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz was appointed as the information minister. Meanwhile, retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa was appointed as special assistant to the prime minister for information replacing Firdous Ashiq Awan.[36]
In December 2020, the federal cabinet saw the fourth reshuffle days after the Islamabad High Court ruled that unelected advisers and special assistants could not head government's committees.[37]
In April 2021, Shaukat Tarin was appointed as finance minister, the fourth person to hold the post in the last two years, as Prime Minister Imran Khan made his sixth cabinet reshuffle since assuming power.[38]
The government was dissolved on 3 April 2022 following the dissolution of the National Assembly of Pakistan by the President, Arif Alvi at the behest of the Prime Minister, Imran Khan.[41] On 7 April, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the restoration of the Federal Cabinet and National Assembly.[42] During parliamentary proceedings on 10 April the government was defeated in a no-confidence motion again the prime minister, leading to the end of its tenure.
Ghilzai, Rizwan (2019-11-21). "High-level meet: Army chief calls on PM Imran". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-05. Earlier this week, the military spokesperson refuted claims of an alleged divide between the country's civilian and military leadership, reiterating that both sides are on the same page.
Italics indicate caretaker governments bold indicates the incumbent government ( Brackets ) indicate civilian governments under military rulers
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