Amid speculations that Ishaq Dar will take over the finance ministry following his confirmation of his return to Pakistan next month, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has said that he would not mind handing over his role to Dar if the party leadership makes a decision in this regard.
During a television interview with Dawn, Miftah was asked about the rumors circulating that Ishaq Dar would be taking over the finance ministry on his return. He responded, “I feel nothing about it. Dar sahab can come if he wants to. He is our elder and already a part of the economic team.”
Miftah revealed that the recent economic decisions taken by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led coalition government were taken with the consultation of Dar as well others on the economic team, even if Dar didn’t agree with the final decision.
“What’s the harm if Dar sahab comes here [Finance Ministry] as well?” he asked.
He also mentioned that Dar had been involved in interviewing the State Bank of Pakistan’s governor, and was already a part of the government’s economic team.
The finance minister said he was appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after consultation with PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif, and said that his role was to make important but difficult economic decisions to protect the country and its economy. “But I seriously have no issue with whether the ministry remains [with me] or not,” he said.
However, Miftah was not keen on taking over the role of the state minister for finance after having been the federal minister. “This, of course, won’t happen. I won’t become the state minister after being the federal minister.”
