PML-N senior leader and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that he is planning to return to Pakistan next month. He gave the confirmation while talking to a private news channel.
During his interview, “intention to return to Pakistan next month is almost confirmed”. The former minister said that his treatment is expected to be completed within the next 10-12 days, adding that British doctors are hopeful that the treatment will be completed soon.
Ishaq Dar has been living in London since 2017. Like PML-N supreme leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar also went to London to seek medical treatment. He has not been back to Pakistan since.
Read more: Accountability court orders permanent arrest warrant against Ishaq Dar
Pertinent to mention, Ishaq Dar has since been declared a proclaimed offender in a corruption case filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Furthermore, on 18th May, an accountability court in Islamabad issued a permanent arrest warrant for Ishaq Dar.
Meanwhile, during the interview, Ishaq Dar said that he is facing only one “fake case which was filed by [former prime minister] Imran Niazi”.
Ishaq Dar to replace Miftah Ismail?
On the other hand, there are speculations that Ishaq Dar is coming to Pakistan to replace Finance Minister Miftah Ismail. According to reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked Ishaq Dar to return and head the economic team.
To clarify, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail is the target of heavy criticism due to the storm of price hikes in Pakistan as a result of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) demands. The Finance Minister has been consistently taking measures that are causing Pakistan’s economy to suffer.
In fact, even PML-N leaders are disappointed with Miftah Ismail’s performance as Finance Minister. During a budget debate in the National Assembly, PML-N’s Javed Hasnain questioned if there was not a single member in the house who could have been given the responsibility of the finance minister. He regretted the government handed over everything, including the State Bank, to the IMF for the sake of $1 billion.
Read more: PML-N & allies criticize own govt for price hike
The Master of Disaster Ishaq Dar confirms he's returning to Pakistan in July. Expect more gimmickry on the economic front if he's appointed Finance Minister. God save Pakistan.#امپورٹڈ_حکومٹ_نامنظور
— Khurrum Sher Zaman NA241🇵🇰 (@KhurumSherZaman) June 28, 2022
Commenting on the rumors regarding him replacing Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Ishaq Dar said that the decision will be made by the party leadership.