Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has started consultations to choose his future economic team, sources revealed.
It is learnt that after the announcement of federal budget 2013-14 – the biggest concern of Nawaz – is trying to select a credible and efficient economic team capable of delivering the promises made by the PML-N in its manifesto and also realise the budgetary targets.
“Right now all eyes are set on Nawaz as to whom he brings to manage the economy. Whether the figures he picks are from the party or people from outside,” said a PML-N leader.
Nawaz is due to make several appointments against key positions, including adviser on economy, heads of the Federal Board of Revenue, the Board of Investment and the Privatisation Board.
PPP government’s finance minister Shaukat Tareen is most likely to join the government in next few days as adviser. In 1997, Nawaz Sharif also inducted Tareen to his economic team.
Zubair Omer is also likely to join the government’s team. He is the brother of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Asad Omer.
Sources disclosed that he was inducted in the party towards the dying moments of the last government in order to neutralize entry of Asad Omer in PTI. He was also member of PML-N’s manifesto committee.
Sources say Zubair is waiting impatiently for Nawaz to decide about his fate as soon as possible. He expects to head the Federal Board of Revenue. The question is this whether he will be able to enhance the country’s miniscule tax base, a move that is seen as politically unpopular in Pakistan.
Sources said that the prime minister is taking his time to raise his team and is consulting with his inner circles in this respect.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will be the premier’s key man in handling the economy and also in determining as to who is fit for these coveted offices. But there are several other lobbies in the party with interest in the economic team of the PML-N government.
Nawaz promised to fill key positions on merit. Besides the PML-N circles have always boosted their economic team as fully capable of bringing back the economy from the brink.
Nawaz has started his third stint as prime minister with the question on most people’s mind whether he will be able to improve the country’s economy and address immediate challenges, which include power shortages, unemployment, lack of investment and rising inflation.
