LAHORE - In an interesting political development, Shahbaz Sharif who is Punjab Chief Minister-designate is likely to become part of the Punjab cabinet as minister even he is not a member of the assembly. Likewise, Rana Sinaullah who is also contesting bye-election will be included in the cabinet as minister. The PML-N sources have confirmed that Shahbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah will be part of the Punjab cabinet. They cited constitutional provision and rules whereby one could become a minister for at the most six months without being the member of the Punjab Assembly. Meanwhile, they need to contest election to become permanent members of the cabinet. The legal experts said that this exercise was possible as per article 130 (7). But within six months, one needs to become Assembly member. However, this six-month term cannot be extended in any manner. In 1990s, Farooq Legahri himself availed of this constitutional provision. He was then Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly from PPP. He left that office, making Rana Ikram Rabbani as Punjab Opposition Leader and he joined the federal cabinet. Later after becoming federal minister, he contested election to become MNA. Rana Sana was the most vocal PML leader in the Punjab in the absence of the Sharifs. He boldly stood against the dictatorship. It was expected that he would be given an important assignment in the PML-N government. The inclusion of Shahbaz in the cabinet indicates that he intends to go ahead with the implementation of PML-N's agenda from the day one of his government. Meanwhile, PML(N) has not so far picked any Minister from Lahore as the new Punjab Cabinet is going to take oath on Thursday (tomorrow), comprising 16 Ministers in the first phase. The exclusion of members from the City in the Cabinet seems quite surprising as it is considered as the stronghold of the PML-N which had a clean sweep from Lahore in February 18th polls winning almost all the provincial seats with the exception of two seats that were won by the PPP. It is learnt that Cabinet will comprise 16 Ministers in the first phase. Those PPP MPAs that are likely to be inducted in the Cabinet are Tanveer Ashraf Kaira (Lalamusa), Ashraf Sohna (Okara), Farooq Yousaf Ghurki (Lahore), Ahmed Hassan (Multan). Uzma Bukhari, a former MPA and daughter of former judge of Lahore High Court Zahid Bukhari and Musarrat Ijaz ul Hassan, wife of PPP veteran leader Prof Ijaz ul Hassan will also be included from PPP on special seats for women. PML-N probables include Nadeem Kamran, Ahmed Ali Olak, Shafiq Anwar, Zaibul Rehman, Shahzadi Umarzaidi Tiwana and others. MMA MPA Ali Haider Noor and PML-F MPA Ahmed Mehmood will be included in the 16-member Cabinet It is also surprising that no independent MPA who joined PML-N later has been accommodated in the first phase. They may become Ministers in the second phase. The sources disclosed that PML-N Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari discussed the proposed list of new Punjab Ministers including 8 members from PML-N, 6 members from PPP, one each from MMA and PML-F during summit meeting of coalition partners held on Tuesday in Islamabad. The sources informed that meeting gave final touches to the probable Ministers. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani is also due to meet Nawaz Sharif in Lahore on Wednesday(Today). It is expected that during this meeting both of them will also discuss the issue of Punjab Cabinet. It may be recalled that coalition partners had complete agreement to keep the size of Cabinet to 35 out of which 16 will take oath in the first phase.