PTI leader Hammad Azhar has been appointed as new Federal Finance Minister replacing Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
As per details, cabinet division has issued notification regarding Hammad Azhar’s appointment as new federal minister.
I am honoured to be entrusted with the additional charge of Finance by the Prime Minister.
Pakistan's economy has made significant gains towards stabilisation since 2018. We shall continue to consolidate these gains and strengthen the growth momentum. 1/2
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) March 29, 2021
It is to be noted that Hammad Azhar already heads Ministry of Industries and Production, his appointment comes as PM Imran Khan had reportedly directed Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to step down as Federal Finance Minister.
Expressing his view on the appointment, Hammad Azhar expressed gratitude for the additional charge and reiterated government’s commitment towards improving country’s economic circumstances.
Pakistan’s economy has made significant gains towards stabilization since 2018. We shall continue to consolidate these gains and strengthen the growth momentum, he tweeted.
Hammad Azhar accentuated that Pakistan navigated economic fallout of COVID-19 fairly well meanwhile the world is witnessing supply chain disruptions and rise in food prices.
Hammaz Azhar’s appointment is in fact the third federal finance replacement in the PTI government’s over two-and -a-half year tenure. In 2019, Shaikh was made Advisor on Finance after Minister for Finance Asad Umar tendered his resignation.
It is pertinent to know that Abdul Hafeez Shaikh had offered to step down as Finance Minister after he lost to PDM backed Yousuf Raza Gilani in March 3rd Senate elections. However, he had continued head Finance Ministry upon PM Imran Khan’s directions.
