Ishaq Dar takes oath as finance minister to pave way for Nawaz’s return

Nawaz will return as victor to cash in after targets of controlling dollar rate, inflation, concessions with IMF achieved

To pave way for Nawaz Sharif’s return, Ishaq Dar has taken oath as the finance minister, reports local media.

Ishaq Dar, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) senior leader has taken oath as Finance Minister of Pakistan. The oath was administered by President Dr Arif Alvi at Aiwan-e-Sadar. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Ishaq Dar has already taken oath as a senator on the previous day. He returned to Pakistan after a five years self-imposed exile after he was nominated finance minister in a meeting by the PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif and PM Shehbaz Sharif in London.

Talking to reporters at the Nur Khan Airbase after landing in Islamabad he said that he would try his best to fulfil all the responsibilities to take the country out of the economic swamp it is stuck in.

Former Miftah Ismail had resigned in meeting with Nawaz Sharif. There had been reports of unhappiness over Miftah’s policies. The speculations were confirmed after the audio recordings between the PM and key PML-N leaders were leaked.

Maryam Nawaz could be heard talking with the premier Shehbaz Sharif about Miftah Ismail.

The voice claimed to be of Maryam had said, “He doesn’t take responsibility […] says strange things on TV for which people make fun of him […] he doesn’t know what he is doing.”

On the other side, reports have been claiming that Ishaq Dar has been appointed on the major mission of improving the economy so that the way for Nawaz Sharif’s return could be paved and things could turn for PML-N.

There have been reports that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan when PML-N will have something to show as a performance to the public. Reports citing PML-N leaders, without naming them, have said that Nawaz’s return to Pakistan would not provide any stimulus to the voters until inflation and price hike have been controlled.

It has also been claimed that Dar has been tasked to bring the dollar down to Rs190, control inflation and bargain concessions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Once these targets would be achieved, Nawaz Sharif will return as a victor to cash in on the situation.