Finance Minister Asad Umar is not stepping down
Prime Minister Imran Khan has full confidence in the capabilities of Finance Minister Asad Umar and he is not going anywhere, the information minister said on Wednesday.
Fawad Chaudhry was reacting to media reports claiming that Umar has developed differences with PM Khan and other cabinet ministers. The reports said that Khan holds Umar responsible for the government’s failure at the economic front.
According to
Radio Pakistan, the purpose of the negative and baseless propaganda against the finance minister is aimed at destabilising the economy.
“The finance minister is discharging the national duty with full confidence and bringing in use the best of his capabilities,” the information minister said.
He added that Asad Umar has played an important role in stabilising the economy.
There is no economic crisis in Pakistan, says Asad Umar
Finance Minister Asad Umar remarked on Tuesday that Pakistan is not facing any economic crisis.
He remarked that the government has successfully overcome it with the help of friendly countries.
The remarks come a day after the dollar went through a roller coaster ride. It fell sharply by Rs2.5 on Monday morning, only a day after recording its largest intraday gain of Rs9.5.
Related: Left to market forces, the dollar takes a roller coaster ride and falls to Rs137.5
One dollar was trading at Rs137.5 in the opening hours of the interbank market compared to Friday when it peaked at an all-time high of Rs143.5 before settling down at Rs140.3 at the close of market.
On Friday, the State Bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 10%, its highest level in five years. This is the rate on which SBP gives loans to other banks.
Spreading rumours about the national economy would not do any service to the country, Umar remarked.
He said that all the fundamental economic indicators are now improving with exports witnessing an upward trend, while the imports are decreasing.
Related: JW Forland to start producing vehicles in Pakistan
Umar stressed that there will be no compromise on the autonomy of the State Bank. “Pakistan is emerging as a vibrant economy and offers immense opportunities for investment,” he said.