Islamabad (November 18, 2017): Prime Minister Spokesman Musadik Malik has clarified that the portfolio of Finance Minister was already with the Prime Minister owing to Dar’s health and absence from the country.
Musadik Malik said that in light of Ishaq Dar’s health and him seeking treatment abroad, as per cabinet rules, the finance ministry portfolio had already come under the prime minister’s control.
The spokesman added that the prime minister was taking regular briefings on matters of finance and looking after the affairs of the Ministry.
The clarification came amid reports that the government has decided to remove Ishad Dar as Finance Minister.
Dar is currently in UK for treatment. He is facing a corruption reference to his assets allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income.NAB had filed the reference in light of the Supreme Court’s July 28 judgment in the Panama Papers case.
The accountability court hearing the corruption case against Dar had issued non-bailable warrants after the minister failed to appear in court for the fourth time on November 14.
The court also issued a notice to Dar’s guarantor for failing to ensure the presence of the minister and adjourned the hearing until November 21.
The anti-graft body has also announced that it would reinvestigate Dar in the Hudaibiya Paper Mills case.
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