–Alvi approves resignation of Asad Umar
ISLAMABAD: After a major reshuffle in the federal cabinet by the prime minister, the Cabinet Division on Friday issued an updated list of federal ministers, ministers of state and advisers and special assistants to the prime minister.
The list initially contained the name of former finance minister Asad Umar as well; however, the notice making his resignation official was issued later in the day, after the president accorded his approval to it.
The president also approved the appointment of Abdul Hafeez Sheikh as adviser to the prime minister on finance, revenue and economic affairs with the status of a federal minister.
Sheikh, a Pakistani political economist of international repute with over 30 years of experience, has served as the finance minister from 2010 to 2013.
In 2012, he became an active member of Pakistan Peoples Party and successfully contested in the 2012 senate elections.
After leaving the government, Sheikh was general partner of an international investment company, headquartered in New York, which set up a $1.38 Billion fund for investments in Asia.
Health Minister Amir Mehmood Kiyani was also removed from his position after receiving the presidential nod.
The three notifications, for the resignation, new appointment and removal, were issued side by side by the Cabinet Division later in the day.
MASSIVE RESHUFFLE:
Hours after removing Finance Minister Asad Umar from his cabinet on Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had fired several ministers, including Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, for showing unsatisfactory performance in their respective domains.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office late on Thursday, Abdul Hafeez Pasha will take charge of the Finance Ministry as PM’s adviser, replacing Asad Umar who left the cabinet after the PM offered him the portfolio of Energy Ministry.
Firdous Ashiq Awan has been appointed as PM’s special assistant on media affairs while former information minister Fawad Chaudhry will now head Science and Technology Ministry.
Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah, the newly inducted parliamentary affairs, will take over the Interior Ministry as a federal minister, replacing Shehryar Afridi, who will now head Safron [State and Frontier Region] Ministry as a state minister.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Azam Swati, who resigned last year, has been appointed as minister for parliamentary affairs.
Mohammadmian Soomro, the federal minister for privatisation, shall cease to hold the additional portfolio of the aviation division. Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who reportedly refused to leave the cabinet after being sacked from the post, has been given Aviation Division. Nadeem Babar has replaced Sarwar as the PM’s adviser on petroleum.
Health Minister Amir Mehmood Kiyani has been let go off and Zafarullah will take charge of his ministry as PM’s special adviser.