News Analysis |
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s resignation has been accepted by the government, sources revealed on Friday morning. Reportedly, Dar had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi a week earlier but it had not been approved.
The resignation was accepted today after deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave his approval to the PM Abbasi.
Read More: Has Sharif family abandoned Ishaq Dar?
Ishaq Dar has been the subject of much controversy after the Supreme Court ordered the National Accountability Bureau to file a reference against the former Finance Minister. The Supreme Court took this decision after discrepancies between Dar’s assets and known sources of income surfaced.
Non-bailable arrest warrants for Ishaq Dar had been issued by the accountability court on 14th November.
Later on 27th September, the accountability court indicted Dar on corruption charges. Subsequently, Dar left the country citing health issues. He is currently in London where he is purportedly seeking treatment.
Read More: “Darism”: Pakistan’s new moral code?
The opposition and segments of the media had been demanding Dar’s resignation for the past month but he had refused to budge, even after being indicted by the court.
It is unclear whether the former Finance Minister plans to return to the country to face trial. Non-bailable arrest warrants for Ishaq Dar had been issued by the accountability court on 14th November.
Ishaq Dar is also a key figure in the 2000 Hudaibiya Paper Mills Case in which he had turned approver against Nawaz Sharif and submitted a confessional statement.
Currently, the portfolio of the Finance Minister is being handled by PM Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi.
Pundits and analysts have expressed skepticism regarding whether Dar intends to return to Pakistan to face trial.
Currently, the portfolio of the Finance Minister is being handled by PM Shahid Khaqqan Abbasi. The government has yet to confirm its candidate for the position.