The federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan has been increased after Dr Sania Nishtar was appointed on Wednesday as PM's special assistant for social protection and poverty alleviation.

According to a notification, Dr Nishtar been given the status of a federal minister, local media reported. The special assistant to PM is already heading the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Ehsaas Programme.

In the past, Dr Nishtar served as a caretaker federal minister for Health, Science and Technology, Information Technology and Higher Education in 2013.