ISLAMABAD: Hammad Azhar has assumed the additional charge of the finance minister, soon after the Cabinet Division issued notification for his appointment on Tuesday. An official said that Azhar visited the Finance Ministry (‘Q block’) and held brief introductory meeting with the officials.

Earlier, on Tuesday, a notification issued by the Cabinet Division read that in terms of rule 3(4) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the prime minister has been pleased to assign the additional portfolio of Finance and Revenue to Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Federal Minister for Industries and Production, with immediate effect.

The Cabinet Division also issued notification for removal of Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh as Federal Minister, with immediate effect.

The notification read that in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 92 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, has been pleased to approve the removal of Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh as Federal Minister, with immediate effect.

On Monday, the Minister for Information told a private news channel about the prime minister’s decision of removal of Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, and attributed price hike in the country as a reason for his removal. He also stated that the prime minister wanted a new economic team.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021