ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart is expected to get the portfolio of foreign minister the cabinet of newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Dar, who has had served as finance minister in past governments of PML-N, will be given the responsibilities regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, caretaker foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani is likely to be appointed as an advisor to the prime minister and Tariq Fatemi get the role of special assistant on foreign affairs.
Reports said the former finance minister was also present during a meeting on Thursday between PM Shehbaz and outgoing interim FM and foreign secretary.
Jilani, during the meeting, apprised the premier on matters related to foreign affairs.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Aurangzeb, chief executive officer of Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) is likely to get a key role in the finance team of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif amid economic challenges.
As the newly-elected premier has hinted in the past, the South Asian country would need another bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to overcome financial challenges amid high inflation and depleting reserves. The current $3 billion IMF programme is all set to expire in April 2024.
Aurangzeb is likely to be appointed special assistant to the prime minister on finance, an international media report quoted sources as having said.
Shehbaz Sharif, who has placed the economy on top of its priority list, is yet to name the cabinet
Local media claimed that Aurganzeb would be appointed as finance minister, but the renowned banker is not a member of the parliament, a key requirement to assume charge as full minister.
