Islamabad, Nov. 23 (TNS): Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has been granted leave of absence after the prime minister approved his ‘indefinite’ application.
Dar was relieved of his three roles, including his portfolio in the finance ministry, and has been informed of the decision. The matter and the contents of the letter, earlier sent by Dar, were also discussed by the premier with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said sources.
He would remain a federal minister and a leave of absence of three months has been granted to Dar.
A notification issued by the Cabinet Division stated that the prime minister is “pleased to allow leave of absence to Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, with immediate effect in terms of sub-section (1) of section of Federal Ministers and Ministers for State Salaries, Allowances and Privileges Act 1975”.
Dar wrote a letter to PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on November 20 wherein he had a sought a leave for his medical treatment abroad.
The premier approved the application after receiving it on Wednesday.
The portfolio of the finance ministry will remain with the prime
Dar is already in London for the treatment of a “heart ailment” and reportedly underwent angiography there.
For the last four weeks, he has been missing court hearings conducted by the anti-graft agency the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)
Dar faces charges of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income.
