New Finance Minister?

Author: Daily Times

Considering the rumour mills churning in overdrive about who would get to sit at the helm of the money matters, we appear to be heading right back where we had started.

Tea leaves suggest that Ishaq Dar is once again interested in holding the keys to the national kitty. Because he enjoys an extremely close rapport with the Sharif family, whose say as the leaders of the face of the government is of paramount importance, the former finance minister and his ever-so-famous Daronomince might be right in gearing up for another act. But the chatter of the street does give a whiff of chiselled opposition from within the party ranks.

As ally PPP has already and very publicly disapproved of his nomination, perhaps Senior Sharif would do well to reconsider the continuation of caretaker finance minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar. Despite a string of anti-people measures like hikes in gas tariffs and an overall failure to tame inflation, Dr Akhtar has very painstakingly brought the Fund’s delegation, convincing them to stay at the deliberations table, that too, on a hopeful note.

Contrasting her previous year in power, which has considerably helped in bringing the country back on track, with the chequered past of PML(N)’s answer to all economic questions makes the right choice quite easy on the eyes. However, the temptation to reclaim the eroded public confidence and rewrite the horrifying innings of the PDM government lurks nearby.

That no matter who manages to come on top better be prepared to pull some magical rabbits out of their hat cannot be emphasised enough. In addition to making tough decisions, the finance minister would have to carve out a plan that balances relief for those bleeding at the altar with spelling an end to the elite capture. To put it in simple, unconfusing terms, the sooner the next finance minister realises Pakistan owes far more money than it is currently making, the better it can advise the government against spending on splendour, bloated machinery and pompous optics. *

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Pakistan

Senator Sherry Rehman urges unified effort to address unsafe water and protect public health in Islamabad

Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Change, led a crucial…

23 mins ago
  • Top Stories

PIA takes action against employees involved in mobile phone smuggling

  Lahore: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has dismissed two employees for their involvement in the…

1 hour ago
  • World

Humanitarian aid pouring into Gaza but massive needs remain: UN

Humanitarian aid is entering Gaza “at scale” in line with the ceasefire agreement that has…

2 hours ago
  • Sports

National Students Games begins Feb 1

The 2nd National Students Games will take place from February 1 to 5 here at…

3 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Government dismisses concerns over misuse, guarantees proper procedure, as debate continues on Peca revisions

Amid widespread concerns over proposed changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca),…

3 hours ago
  • Finance

Measures undertaken to improve Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability: Aurangrzeb

Minister of Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb was the Chief Guest at the Pakistan Pavilion lunch hosted…

3 hours ago