Bilawal 'congratulates' nation after Asad Umar's removal

Imran Khan cannot escape responsibility of this economic catastrophe, says Shehbaz

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated the nation on Thursday amidst a federal cabinet reshuffle that saw Asad Umar being axed as finance minister.

Saying the first wicket had fallen, Bilawal stated: “The government’s entire team will return to the pavilion before the end of 50 overs."

He further stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan is unable to handle his team and the government.



"The selected PM is neither able to run the economy nor foreign affairs. Imran has pushed the country into a severe crisis. After the financial crisis, severe governance crisis has appeared in the country," added the PPP chairperson.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, in a tweet, stated the PTI government had done "irreparable damage to the Pakistani economy."

"With the change of ministers, Imran Khan cannot escape responsibility of this economic catastrophe."

پی ٹی آئی کی حکومت نے پاکستانی معیشت کو ناقابل تلافی نقصان پہنچایا ہے۔ وزیروں کی تبدیلی سے عمران خان اس معاشی تباہی کی ذمہ داری سے بچ نہی سکتے!

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 18, 2019

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the "real problem" lies not with the finance minister, but the prime minister.

In a tweet, Aurangzeb said Umar's removal is an admission by the PM that "his policies have created an economic crisis."

If PTI’s and Asad Umer’s policies were so good, and the problems were from PMLN government,then why was he asked to step down.This is an admission by IK that his polices have created an economic crisis in Pakistan. the real problem is not Asad. It is the PM.@pmln_org @PTIofficial https://t.co/GYIhL9qPue

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 18, 2019

PML-N Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq stated a change in one of the most important cabinets is "not a good omen".

Not a good omen; change of one of the most important cabinet ministers.

Is he alone to be blamed for the current economic mess @PTIofficial ? Is he being made a scapegoat? https://t.co/Lpqc9sDcx6

— Ayesha Raza Farooq (@AyeshaRaza13) April 18, 2019

Umar was removed as the finance minister on Thursday after facing mounting criticism in recent weeks over the state of Pakistan’s economy.

In a tweet, the now-former finance minister said that the move was “part of a cabinet reshuffle” and added that the PM had offered him the energy portfolio.

“However, I have obtained his [PM Imran] consent to not take any cabinet position," he said.