— Ishaq Dar thinking to quit politics, puts executive responsibilities as finance minister on hold
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has put his executive responsibilities as finance minister on hold unannounced while Muftah Ismail is set to serve as the de facto finance minister on the advice of Maryam Nawaz, it was learnt.
Sources aware of the development informed Pakistan Today that Muftah Ismail will look after the affairs of Finance Ministry from now onwards on the advice of Maryam Nawaz while the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has also shown his consent over the advice.
They said that Dar stopped fulfilling his official responsibilities without any announcement as he was disheartened over no confidence from Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz over his loyalty. A wide gulf has emerged between Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Ishaq Dar, the sources said.
The sources said that Dar is so disappointed that he, during his recent stay in London, asked Nawaz Sharif to allow him to submit resignation from the important slot of finance minister. However, former premier stopped him from doing so only because he feared severe criticism from PTI and other opposition parties.
They also said that the differences between Dar and Nawaz have widened as Dar was not invited to yesterday’s consultative meetings of Nawaz with senior party leaders. Nawaz and Maryam were upset with Dar over his deep relations with powerful circles and he has provided important documents and information to a joint investigation team (JIT) through various sources against Sharif family.
The JIT was probing offshore wealth of the Sharifs. Dar has assured incumbent PM Khaqan Abbasi that he would be helpful to Muftah Ismail for the fulfillment of official responsibilities, sources said.
It was also learnt that the former finance minister, who was once a close aide of former premier, was not invited to the party meetings held at Murree after the dissolution of former federal cabinet due to a decision of apex court that declared Nawaz disqualified and filing of NAB references against him and his children including Ishaq Dar.
Besides, Dar remains very busy and was not available to fulfill executive responsibilities as finance minister due to NAB references against him. Dar will formally tender his resignation if Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz camp does not show its confidence over his loyalty.
It is worth mentioning here that Dar who was once taken as deputy prime minister is facing a hard time due to NAB references, due to the opening of Hudaibia Paper Mills case has also increased the worries for Dar. It is said that Dar did not appear in finance ministry after the decision of SC on Panama Paper case. Moreover, Dar might quit politics if Nawaz does not express confidence over his loyalty.