LONDON: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar will return to Pakistan today on his plane with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif – after five years in self-imposed exile in London – in an effort to revive the cash-strapped government. I will provide “convenience”. Economy by handling the important portfolio of the Ministry of Finance.
The Muslim League-N (PML-N) leadership group, headed by party supremo Nawaz Sharif, decided on Sunday that Dar will leave Luton Airport with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday morning.
On Saturday that Dar is set to be sworn in as Pakistan’s next finance to replace Miftah Ismail.
Meanwhile, Miftah tendered his resignation on Sunday, paving the way for Dar to take charge of Pakistan’s sagging economy at a time when inflation is hitting new highs and the overall health of the economy is deteriorating.
Miftah will remain part of the government’s economic team, while Dar will lead the coalition government as the new finance minister.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif reached London to meet his brother Nawaz and discussed the ongoing political situation and economic affairs of the country.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed the return of Dar, who has served as Pakistan’s finance minister four times in the past.
The Home Minister said that ‘Dar is returning to facilitate Prime Minister Shehbaz in economic matters’.
Dar moved to London in October 2017 and has been there ever since. He said that he was targeted by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar in fake cases designed to remove him from power when the Muslim League-N was last in power.
After the former prime minister arrived in London for his treatment in late 2019, Dar became a key aide to Nawaz Sharif. Dar spent almost daily time with Nawaz, advising him on important matters.
He played a key role during the preparations for the no-confidence vote against PTI chief Imran Khan and was the main point of contact for Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders in London.
He attended almost every meeting of Nawaz Sharif in London and had his say in every decision taken by the Muslim League (N) supremo from London.
During the entire period of the PTI government, Dar was banned from appearing in the Pakistani media. He took to social media to air his views on economy and politics.
