There are currently around 60 members of the cabinet, including ministers, deputy ministers and advisors with the status of the ministers.
Geo television reported that the president and the prime minister have agreed to dissolve the current cabinet and form a short cabinet. Few ministers of the present cabinet will be inducted in the new cabinet, it said.
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar denied the cabinet dissolution report and said that no decision was taken in the meeting of the president and the prime minister. He however said that strength of the cabinet will be reduced.
The main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had demanded a decrease in the government expenses as the country is facing a worst economic crisis.
Law Minister Babar Awan said that a decision of the right sizing of the cabinet has been taken but he did not confirm dissolution of the cabinet.
Sources said that additional charges will be given to several ministers while some will be merged into others to slash expenses.
Pakistan has already scrapped five ministries and five more ministers will be slashed in the coming months. The report said those ministers will be retained who have shown good performance.
A total of 74 percent Pakistanis believe that the country can survive without taking loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as opposed to 25 percent, who say taking loan is essential for Pakistan`s survival, a survey showed Friday.
(Uu.H-AK/P003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
