Asad Umar decides to quit as finance minister
Asad Umar decides to quit as finance minister.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member National Assembly (MNA) Asad Umar has decided to quit as the finance minister of Pakistan, Dunya News reported on Thursday.
The PTI leader held a press conference in Islamabad and told that he conducted a detailed meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan after his proposal of reshuffling of the cabinet.
“I convinced the premier to allow me to step down from the cabinet,” he said.
“I thank Imran Khan for inviting me to join PTI and to put his trust in me. My support will always be PTI which will make naya (new) Pakistan.
“I have had an amazing journey in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf since April 18, 2012 – the day I joined the party.
“I enjoyed a lot of success and faced difficult times as well. I specially thank PTI supporters and social media volunteers for their tremendous support.
“Special gratitude goes to the people of NA-48 and NA-54 for electing me.
“The economy of Pakistan – when I took charge – was in the most dangerous condition and we could have fallen into a pitfall if correct and bold decisions had not been made.
“The economic condition improved during my tenure and the figures verify the claim.
“Although the new finance minister will assume the office in a relatively better position, still difficult decisions will have to be made.
“The economy is going towards betterment but finance ministry is still the second most difficult job in Pakistan after the premiership.
“The people should show patience and support tough decisions. Choices made in haste may drop the economy back into the pitfall.”
Earlier, the PTI leader took to Twitter and informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan asked him to take the energy minister portfolio instead of finance.
Asad Umar continued that he has decided not to take any cabinet position after the premier’s consent. He said he strongly believes Imran Khan is the best hope for Pakistan.
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. I strongly believe @ImranKhanPTI is the best hope for Pakistan and inshallah will make a naya pakistan
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 18, 2019
It has been learnt that the names of Shaukat Tareen, Hafeez Pasha, Dr Ishrat Hussain and Salman Shah are under consideration for finance advisor. Imran Khan has also summoned Federal Minister for Power Umar Ayub Khan to the Prime Minister House.
The development has occurred amidst an economic crisis. Imran Khan had expressed dissatisfaction over Asad Umar’s performance earlier as well.
Asad Umar had claimed that the country’s economy had recovered from an “ICU state” after talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) entered the final stage.
“The PTI government inherited a very sick patient that had been taken out of the ICU [Intensive Care Unit]. The government, therefore had to take emergency measures,” the minister had said.
Asad Umar was sworn in as the Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 20, 2018.
