Islamabad: After Thursday’s cabinet reshuffle, many new portfolio holders — ministers, advisers and special assistants — in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government have expressed solidarity with the outgoing finance minister Asad Umar asking him to return to the cabinet and give his input on how to lift the economy of the country.
Pro-Umar tweets by his colleagues are coming at a time when he is being held responsible for the current economic woes of the country by a large number of social media users, particularly opposition parties.
In his post, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi calls Umar “one of the most competent people around with unquestionable integrity.”
Zaidi goes on to say that it is “extremely important for all of us that he reconsiders his decision and becomes part of the cabinet in any capacity but as soon as possible.”
Zulfi Bukhari, Chairman, National Tourism Board and Special Assistant to PM on Overseas Pakistanis, also tweeted in support of the outgoing colleague saying: “Asad Bhai [brother], I sincerely hope for PTI and Pakistan that you reconsider your decision and continue to be a part of the cabinet. Pakistan is at crossroads and the cabinet needs your presence as an integral part of it.”
Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari has also paid tribute to Umar saying he has quit his office in a dignified manner.
Adviser to PM for Youth Affairs Usman Dar also paid glowing tribute to former colleague in cabinet saying, “I am extremely thankful to Mr Asad Umar for his hard work, guidance, unflinching support and sincerest efforts for the betterment of Pakistan. I will always look up to him for inspiration and motivation and his contributions in the journey of Naya Pakistan will never be forgotten.”
Umar announced he would quit the cabinet on April 18. On his Twitter account, he said he decided to resign after Prime Minister Imran Khan asked him to step down from the current position and instead take up the energy portfolio.
His resignation was seen as a major blow to the party that is already under severe criticism for not being able to handle the jittery economy of the country. It was followed by a major reshuffle of the cabinet depriving many powerful ministers of their portfolios.
Apart from these tweets of appreciation, there are a large number of posts on social media describing Umar as the one who lacked any plan to revive the economy of the country and used old, conventional formulae of raising prices of petrol, gas as well as electricity tariffs to generate revenue.
The government’s oscillating on getting an IMF package also contributed to Umar’s exit from cabinet, say independent analysts.
