M UZ A F F A R A B A D : Sadaf Shailch, a member of the AJK Assembly, elected against one of the five reserved seats for women, was sworn in as minister for sports, youth and culture on Wednesday.

She was administered oath by President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan at Kashmir House, Islamabad.

Three cabinet members, Sardar Javald Ayub, Sardar Abid Hussain Abid and Ms Farzana Ahmed, were also present on the occasion.

The portfolios allotted to Ms Shaikh were earlier held by Mohammad Saleem Butt, one of the two MQM ministers who were sacked by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed on August 4 following MQM chief Altaf Hussain`s alleged diatribe against the armed forces.

Ms Shaikh, who belongs to Kotia towards northwest of Muzaffarabad, was serving as parliamentary secretary for education before her elevation as minister. After her induction, the number of female ministers has risen to 3. Staff Correspondent