Asad Umar steps down as finance minister, refuses energy minister portfolio

Asad Umar announced on Thursday that he is no more the finance minister and has refused to take over the energy minister portfolio he was offered.

The former finance minister took to his Twitter handle and announced that he was offered the energy minister portfolio by Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, Umar added, he obtained the premiers consent to not take any cabinet position.

"I strongly believe Imran Khan is the best hope for Pakistan and Inshallah will make a Naya Pakistan," Umar added.

As part of a cabinet reshuffle PM desired that I take the energy minister portfolio instead of finance. However, I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position. I strongly believe @ImranKhanPTI is the best hope for Pakistan and inshallah will make a naya pakistan

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) April 18, 2019

On Monday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had refuted rumors of Umar being removed from the federal cabinet. The information minister took to his Twitter account and wrote that changing ministers is PM Khan’s discretionary right. “There is no truth to reports circulating regarding changes in the cabinet,” Chaudhry further said.