Rumours about Ishaq Dar’s return: Miftah Ismail says ‘I also know how to handle economic affairs’

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Miftah Ismail was forced to present his achievements while responding to the rumours of former finance minister Ishaq Dar’s return to Pakistan to improve the economy, saying, “I also know how to handle economic affairs.”

Miftah Ismail responded to the rumoured return of Ishaq Dar during an interview with anchorperson Asma Shirazi on Aaj News yesterday.

She questioned him about the expected return of Dar and his ouster from the office as he failed to show performance. Ismail got annoyed over the question and said that he is doing all his efforts he can do to improve economic matters.

The finance minister said that he also belongs to this country as much as any other Pakistani including Ishaq Dar, you and even you cameraman who is recording this program.

Recalling his own ‘achievements’, “We have made difficult decisions. We have implemented them. We are now close to signing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We have approved the budget with the approval of the IMF, all my efforts have been supported by the IMF.”

اسحاق ڈار کی واپسی کی باتیں۔۔ کیا ملک کو اس سنگین معاشی بحران سے اسحاق ڈار ہی نکال سکتے ہیں؟#FaislaAapKa
Aaj News@MiftahIsmail pic.twitter.com/KhdXLF7BTo

— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) July 5, 2022

Ismail said, “I was talking to the IMF mission chief before coming to your TV program. We were exchanging views about the IMF agreement. This correspondence means that we are in touch with the IMF on a daily basis. “I have also met people from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank,” he said.

“So far, no such thing has come to my notice that I am being removed nor have I resigned from my post.”

Explaining his performance, the finance minister said, “I have been in business for 20 to 25 years. By the grace of God, I am running a successful business. I have a PhD in economics. I also know how to handle economic affairs.”

Anchorperson Asma Shirazi raised the question of whether he will bear the brunt of tough decisions and then be replaced by Ishaq Dar like Asad Umar. He responded to the question, saying that it is not Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) style as there is no Imran Khan here in the party.

“Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif are here. Not like Imran Khan, who praised the performance of Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and then dismissed him the very next day. However, it is true that the ruling political parties use to reshuffle ministries. If Dar Sahib or any other finance minister is to be appointed, it is at the discretion of the prime minister and I will not resist it,” concluded Miftah Ismail.