Aamir Qureshi—AFP
PTI stalwart claims he was offered energy ministry but chose to not hold any cabinet position
The Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs Minister of Pakistan announced via Twitter on Thursday that he would be stepping down from his cabinet post following an upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
“As part of a cabinet reshuffle PM desired that I take the energy minister portfolio instead of finance,” said Asad Umar. “However, I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position.”
Rumors of Umar’s ouster had started circulating earlier this week, with reports claiming that several cabinet positions would be reshuffled. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had on Monday rejected those reports, claiming that while Prime Minister Imran Khan had the right to switch up his cabinet, there was no truth to the prevailing rumors. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority had also issued show-cause notices to multiple channels for broadcasting reports alleging the upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
While Umar is out, he maintained that his support for the PTI and the prime minister’s ‘Naya Pakistan’ remained undiminished. “I strongly believe @ImranKhanPTI is the best hope for Pakistan and inshallah will make a naya Pakistan,” he added.