PM expresses confidence in new finance minister’s abilities

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his full confidence in newly-appointed Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin’s abilities and said that he has known him for the last 35 years.
The prime minister said this during a recently held meeting with Tarin at the Prime Minister’s House before the latter’s elevation to the ministerial post.
“I am confident that Shaukat Tarin will come up with better planning for the further stability of the country’s economy,” the prime minister said. “Shaukat Tarin will work in an organised manner for bringing further stability,” the premier added.
During the meeting, discussions were held related to the economic situation of the country. Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar was also in attendance along with the social media team of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Speaking on the occasion, the incumbent finance minister said that they have to bring the GDP growth to 6 to 7 per cent in order to address the economic woes of the country. “The country’s GDP growth should be increased by 6 to 7 per cent,” Tarin maintained.
He said that based on his 49 years of experience in the economic sector, he knows what measure should be taken to steer the economy in the right direction.
When asked regarding any plans to remove the governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Tarin said there are no chances of his removal as he had brought exemplary reforms in the system.
The participants also asked Tarin regarding his economic plans.
It should be recalled that last week, PM Imran had — for the sixth time — reshuffled the federal cabinet and appointed Tarin as the country’s new finance minister.
Tareen had replaced federal minister Hammad, who was appointed as the country’s finance minister in March when the premier replaced Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. Consequently, Hammad was appointed as the minister for energy, replacing Omar Ayub.