Shaukat Tarin, who served as a finance minister during the tenure of the Pakistan People’s Party, is going to head a high-powered Economic Advisory Council (EAC) that would be established by the prime minister in the coming days.
Tarin has confirmed that he would take charge as the convener of the body in the next two or three days. It is being said that Tarin was also offered the role of the special assistant on finance, a post formerly held by Abdul Hafeez Sheikh before his unceremonious removal.
Tarin, however, reportedly rejected the offer, saying he was facing a reference by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over rental power plants and would only join the cabinet following the conclusion of the 10-year-long case.
The EAC will guide the PM Imran in the economic matters, especially with respect to the important decisions.
Earlier this week, Hammad Azhar was given an additional charge of the finance minister after Sheikh was sacked by PM Imran Khan. The PM had also removed his petroleum aide Nadeem Babar last week over the fuel crisis that gripped Pakistan in June 2020 and replaced him with Tabish Gauhar.
The premier is likely to make more changes to his team, as cabinet reshuffle is likely to take place this week.
