Baligh-ur-Rehman to handle finance minister's parliamentary affairs: sources
November 18, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman has been ordered by the prime minister to take care of finance minister's parliamentary affairs, sources informed Geo News on Saturday.
Baligh-ur-Rehman has been advised to prepare a reply for finance minister in National Assembly and Senate, the sources added.
Speaking to Geo News, Baligh-ur-Rehman accepted that he has been given given responsibilities, adding that he has been ordered to take care of finance minister's parliamentary affairs.
Reports of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar's resignation circulated on Saturday morning, claiming he had sent his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
However, credible sources inside the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) denied the reports terming them as mere rumours.
Later the prime minister house spokesperson Musadik Malik, cleared the confusion stating that in light of Ishaq Dar's health and him seeking treatment abroad, as per cabinet rules, the finance ministry portfolio had already come under the prime minister's control
The spokesman added, that the prime minister was taking regular briefings on matters of finance and was managing the portfolio efficiently.
Prior to the PM house spokesperson's clarification, a highly credible source told Geo News that rumours of Ishaq Dar’s resignation had been circulating for long.
Ishaq Dar has not resigned: Marriyum Aurangzeb
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday said that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has not resigned.
"Reports of Dar's resignation are baseless."
She added that the resignation is the prerogative of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
"Demanding resignation from Dar is the prerogative of the prime minister," said the minister.
Rumours had circulated on Saturday morning that the finance minister had sent his resignation to the premier.
Referring to the ongoing sit-in by supporters of religious parties at Islamabad's Faizabad Interchange, Aurangzeb said the government wants a peaceful resolution of the issue plaguing the twin cities.
