Rana Asif quits as finance minister

Lahore—Finance Minister Punjab, Rana Asif Mehmood resigned from his office following a controversy over getting slot of finance minister on a reserved seat of minority and dual nationality.

Sources in the Punjab Assembly confirming his resignation said the former minister had been indulged in obtaining the slot through fraudulent act and he had no option but to quit.

The chief minister Punjab recently had appointed Rana Asif Mehmood as a finance minister to present the provincial budget for fiscal 2012-13.

Rana Asif Mehmood was inducted in Punjab Assembly as a member on reserve (minority) seat NM-366 from Sialkot.

Law Minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah Khan talking to reporters at the Punjab Assembly said the party’s central leadership had asked Rana Asif to quit due to controversy he was facing.

Rana Asif was elected finance minister on reserved seat of minority as a goodwill gesture.

Answering a question, the minister said the chief minister Punjab would appoint a new finance minister within a day or so.—APP