Asad Umar will rejoin federal cabinet, says PM Imran

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that former finance minister Asad Umer will rejoin the federal cabinet.

During a meeting with senior journalists, the premier said the finance minister will be a part of the federal cabinet again, a month after Umar turned down PM Imran’s offer to head the energy ministry and resigned from the federal cabinet.

“The changing of ministers is only to change the batting order,” the PM said, adding that the govt will make use of all suitable individuals for the good of the country.

“In the absence of experts, we are assigning technocrats,” the premier said, adding that he has to show the performance of his government.

The premier also criticised opposition parties by saying that they are trying to get away with their corruption while using democracy as an excuse.

Reiterating his resolve, the prime minister said he does not care about his premiership but will not sign another national reconciliation ordinance (NRO).

“In 2016, Chaudhry Nisar stated Bilawal Bhutto and Ayyan Ali’s bills were being paid by the same accounts. Are these cases made up by me,” asked the prime minister while referring to the ongoing accountability process in the country.

During the meeting, he further informed journalists that the government is bringing forth seven bills for the welfare of the public. “If opposition stands with us to pass these bills, it will be a good thing,” he added.

“I was asked to make an inquiry commission for alleged election rigging and I did that, but the opposition did not even show up for the making of the commission.”

PM Imran further claimed that he felt ashamed to sit in the National Assembly because of the unsavoury language used by opposition. “I am unable to comprehend what happens in the Parliament. For eight months, there has only been conflict there.”