SENATOR Ishaq Dar, who already holds the important portfolio of the Foreign Affairs, has been assigned another responsibility in the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the PM has appointed him as the Deputy Prime Minister in addition to his current responsibilities.
This is, indeed, a special honour for Ishaq Dar who played crucial roles during all tenures of the PML(N) Government. He successfully served as Finance Minister of the country and introduced policies aimed at economic stability and provision of relief for the masses against price-hike. Dar also remained part and parcel of the party’s political decision-making and led teams of the PML(N) during talks with other parties and stakeholders. There is no doubt that the post of the Deputy Prime Minister is symbolic as it has no provision in the Constitution but together with his role as the Foreign Minister, the new assignment would entrust him with necessary power and status to represent the country at higher levels as far as engagement with other countries as well as regional and global forums is concerned. And subject to changes in the rules of business of the government, he might virtually act as the Prime Minister during absence of the incumbent PM. Anyhow, this elevated stature is a reflection of the confidence and trust besides acknowledgement of his personal qualities by the party leadership. Dar surely deserved this distinction and hopefully this would motivate him further to play a bigger role for the cause of the country.
