LONDON: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday accepted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s request to be relieved of his duties, reported Geo News. Dar was relieved of his three roles, including his duties in the Finance Ministry, and has been informed of the decision. The matter and the contents of the letter, earlier sent by Dar, were also discussed by the premier with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said sources. The News has seen the letter sent by Ishaq Dar from London to the Prime Minister House requesting for “Leave of Absence” in light of his health. Dar had arrived in London around a month ago and has been seeking treatment at a Harley Street hospital. Dar has stated in his letter to the PM that he wishes to seek “relief for now from looking after the three divisions” that he has been heading for approximately four years. The News has learnt Dar spoke to Nawaz prior to writing the letter to the PM. It’s understood Nawaz advised him that in current circumstances it was best to let the PM run economic affairs of the country through an advisory committee of economic experts. A source in the PM Office said the premier is aware Dar has requested to step aside from his role in view of his medical treatment in London. He said the entire cabinet is of the view that Dar provided excellent leadership to Pak economy and helped turn around Pakistan. He said Dar took the economy in dire straits from the previous government and worked selflessly for Pakistan. A source close to Dar said he never had any issue with unanimous decisions of his party. The source refuted the reports which had suggested Dar was clinging on to his role despite reservations from his party colleagues and party leaders. The source said that Dar and the Sharif family are being victimised through courts and that fact is known to all. Ishaq Dar has always respected courts and will appear before the courts when he is in good medical condition and when doctors allow him to travel. It’s understood that doctors have advised the finance minister to travel only when he is medically fit. An accountability court in Islamabad has declared Dar a proclaimed offender, rejecting his plea for exemption from appearance. The NAB announced last week it will reinvestigate the finance minister in Hudaibya Papers Mills case. NAB is initiating reinvestigations into the case to fulfill legal requirements in the light of a Supreme Court verdict, the anti-graft body said in a statement. A corruption reference pertaining to Dar's owning assets disproportionate to his known sources of income was filed by NAB in light of the Supreme Court's July 28 judgment in the Panama Papers case. Ishaq Dar has denied any wrongdoing and said cases against him are politically motivated, aimed at getting Nawaz Sharif and family punished through him.
