Pakistan, March 2 -- Only one praiseworthy note from last year's "king's club" in Islamabad was its commitment to a comparatively leaner team to tackle the nation's myriad challenges.

Yet, the recent expansion of the federal cabinet by 27 new members completely undermines that promise - arriving when every rupee is scrutinized and ordinary citizens are forced to tighten their belts. This extravagant move smacks of political indulgence and a blatant disregard for fiscal discipline, widening the chasm between governmental priorities and the stark economic realities confronting millions.

Every additional minister further bloats an already cumbersome bureaucracy, diverting scarce resources from vital sectors such as healthcare, education, a...