Naveed Qamar gets finance portfolio

It was, however, decided that the vacant portfolios would be allocated to the sitting ministers as an additional charge to ensure smooth working of these ministries.

According to the decision made at the meeting, Syed Naveed Qamar would get additional charge of Ministry of Finance; Sherry Rehman, Women's Division; Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Petroleum & Natural Resources; Ch Ahmad Mukhtar, Commerce; and Nazar Mohammad Gondal, Ministry of Agriculture.

Hina Rabbani Khar has been appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs with the status of Minister of State.

During the meeting, Zardari told the Premier that he would talk to Nawaz Sharif and persuade him to withdraw the resignations in national interest.

The Prime Minister apprised Zardari of his recent telephonic contact with Nawaz Sharif and his meeting with the PML-N ministers.

He expressed the confidence that the two major coalition partners would remain united to strengthen democracy and jointly face the challenges confronting the country.

Zardari informed Gilani that there was a little difference between the coalition partners, PPP and PML-N, on the judges issue and hoped that it would be resolved soon.