Asad quits, Imran reshuffles cabinet

As part of a cabinet reshuffle PM desired that I take the energy minister portfolio instead of finance. However, I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position. asad Umar

@Asad_Umar

islamabad — Pakistan’s finance minister Asad Umar has stepped down from cabinet, he announced on Thursday, ahead of securing a crucial bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Umar, one of cricketer-turnedpremier Imran Khan’s most powerful ministers, had been entrusted with the task of negotiating the long-delayed bailout as Pakistan’s cash-strapped economy faces a balance-of-payments crisis.

“As part of a cabinet reshuffle, PM desired that I take the energy minister portfolio instead of finance,” Asad Umar tweeted.

“However, I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position. I strongly believe @ImranKhanPTI is the best hope for Pakistan and inshallah (God willing) will make a naya (new) Pakistan,” he wrote.

cabinet reshuffle

A major reshuffle has taken place in the federal cabinet, with the portfolios of several ministers having been changed, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

This development comes only hours after Umar stepped down as the finance minister. Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh has been named adviser on finance and and Senator Azam Swati as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has been made Federal Minister for Science and Technology while Ghulam Sarwar has been named Federal Minister for Aviation, Ijaz Ahmed Shah has been made Interior Minister, while Sheharyar Afridi has been made Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions.

Federal Minister for Privatisation Mohammedmian Soomro would cease to hold the additional portfolio of Aviation Division.