The PTI’s reaction follows the federal government’s notification on Sunday appointing Dar as deputy PM with immediate effect. Dar, a chartered accountant and seasoned politician with close ties to PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, previously served as finance minister multiple times, including a recent stint from 2022 to 2023.
Read more: PTI set to stage nationwide protests against ‘rigging’ on Friday
The decision to appoint Dar as deputy PM, following his role as foreign minister, suggests an increased emphasis on economic matters in Pakistan’s diplomacy, especially as the country seeks another IMF deal and seeks to bolster external financing.
This move has drawn criticism from various quarters. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat), criticized it as an extra-constitutional step driven by intra-party tensions rather than addressing substantive issues.
Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jaferii pointed out the lack of legal clarity in the notification, while Supreme Court Advocate Basil Nabi Malik argued that the Constitution does provide the prime minister with the authority to act directly or through federal ministers, citing Article 90(2).
Read more: NA Suspends Members for Disruptive Behavior