PM reposes confidence in Shaikh after Senate defeat

Hafeez Shaikh has played an important part in improving Pakistan's economy, says Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD:

Reposing full confidence in Federal Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who has lost the Islamabad seat to Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) joint candidate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani by five votes in the Senate elections, Prime Imran Khan on Saturday directed him to continue working as the finance minister.

In a one-on-one meeting with Shaikh after securing the vote of confidence in the National Assembly, the premier said that the finance minister had played an important part in improving Pakistan's economy.

Shaikh was made the finance minister for six months as the government hoped that he would succeed in the Senate elections. However, following the defeat, he will not be able to continue as finance minister after June 11 and would have to continue as an adviser instead.

Cabinet sources had told The Express Tribune that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is considering the possibility of making another attempt to get Shaikh elected as senator from Punjab by de-seating Senator-elect Ishaq Dar, who has not taken oath of the office.

At least three cabinet members had revealed that the government wanted to retain Shaikh as the finance minister.

Read more: Hafeez Shaikh down but not yet out

They said that the key reason was Shaikh’s connections in the international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that were critical for Pakistan for the revival of the stalled bailout package.

The sources said that the government may promulgate a presidential ordinance to define a timeframe for the elected members of parliament and the provincial assemblies to take oath.

It has been under consideration to introduce legislation to make it binding for an elected member to take oath in order to ensure the representation of the province or a constituency in the assembly, Asad Umar, the federal minister for planning and development, confirmed.

The minister had been requested to comment whether the government was considering promulgating an ordinance to de-seat Dar and bring Shaikh in his place from Punjab.

At present, there is no timeframe for an elected member to take the oath.