ISLAMABAD, APR 27 (DNA) – In a surprise move, the federal government on Friday expanded its cabinet by appointing five new federal ministers and a state minister just month before elections, which are scheduled to be held in July.

According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s House, Marvi Memon, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Anusha Rehman, Tallal Chaudhry were appointed as federal ministers and Leila Khan as a state minister. President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath to the newly appointed ministers.

Earlier in the day, Miftah Ismail, the prime minister’s adviser on finance, was appointed as the federal minister for finance, revenue and economic affairs, prior to the budget presentation in the National Assembly.