Web Desk: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has expanded its cabinet to 53 members after appointing 23 additional parliamentary secretaries, a move that has sparked criticism from opposition parties and political commentators over the size of the provincial administration.
The latest appointments push the cabinet beyond the 50-member mark, making it one of the largest provincial executive teams in recent years.
The provincial government said the appointment of additional parliamentary secretaries is intended to improve governance, strengthen coordination across departments and enhance administrative efficiency.
Officials argue that the expanded team will help manage the province’s growing administrative responsibilities and improve service delivery.
However, opposition leaders have criticized the expansion, describing the cabinet as unnecessarily large at a time when the province faces significant economic and governance challenges.
Critics questioned whether increasing the number of officeholders aligns with the government’s public messaging on prudent governance and fiscal responsibility. Some opposition figures also accused the administration of prioritizing political accommodation over addressing pressing public issues.
The cabinet expansion has fueled fresh political debate in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with critics arguing that the growing size of the executive could place additional pressure on the provincial exchequer.
Meanwhile, government supporters maintain that the appointments are necessary to ensure more effective oversight of departments and improve the implementation of public policies.
The latest expansion raises the total number of cabinet members and parliamentary secretaries to 53, marking a significant increase in the size of the provincial government’s executive structure.
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