Rumours of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s resignation have been rubbished by the ruling party. Last week, unconfirmed reports had suggested that the minister tendered his resignation after criticism from within the party, but State Minister for Information Marriyam Aurangzeb soon clarified that Dar continued to hold the ministry. She attributed his absence from the media to a visit abroad for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that a number of PML-N leaders are unhappy with Dar’s reluctance to quit the ministry. This camp is of the opinion that the party is facing criticism unnecessarily for retaining a federal minister indicted in corruption cases.
The finance minister should have done the right thing and resigned from his office soon after the NAB trial started. Opposition parties have since been demanding his resignation.
With pressure building up within the ruling party’s ranks as well, it is high time Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi should demand Dar’s resignation. The largest political party in the country must have some replacement for the job.
It should be fairly obvious to the Prime Minister and his cabinet members that the economy will suffer if the person responsible remains busy in corruption cases and court appearances. It goes without saying that economy is too serious a business to be left at the mercy of someone facing trial on corruption charges. The ruling party has to put aside its grievances with the Apex court verdicts and realise that governmental affairs need to be kept separated from politics.
Pakistan’s economy has suffered in the ongoing clash of institutions. This has contributed to problems already existing because of rising debts and falling exports. The economy needs undivided attention. The least the ruling party can do at this point is to place the finance ministry in the hands of a leader with ample time and requisite expertise. The prime minister should seek Dar’s resignation and appoint a new finance minister without further delay. *
Published in Daily Times, November 21st 2017.