Pakistan’s finance minister announces to step down

By Aamir Latif</p> <p>KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistan’s Finance Minister Asad Umar Thursday said he was going to resign, amid growing criticism on his economic policies.</p> <p>Umar, who has long been under severe criticism from opposition parties for his “poor” economic policies that have resulted in a record inflation and price-hike in recent months, announced the much-expected decision in a Twitter post.</p> <p>“As part of cabinet reshuffle, PM [prime minister] desired that I take the energy ministry portfolio instead of finance. However, I have obtained his consent not to take any cabinet position. I strongly believe that Imran Khan is the best hope for Pakistan and Insha Allah will make a naya [new] Pakistan”, Umar said.</p> <p>His announcement came at a time when cash-strapped Pakistan is looking for an IMF bailout package to prop up the country’s ailing economy, mainly the foreign reserves.</p> <p>However, it is not clear whether Umar has officially submitted a resignation, and whether it has been accepted.</p> <p>Shaukat Tareen, a former finance minister, is expected to be appointed as advisor to prime minister on finance, a portfolio equivalent to finance minister, a government source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.</p> <p>Pakistan has recently obtained aid and loan packages to the tune of $14 billion from its longtime allies — Saudi Arabia, UAE and China — to solidify its decreasing foreign reserves.

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