Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday tweeted in support of Finance Minister (FM) Miftah Ismail. He further revealed that Ismail was facing immense criticism from within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) because of the continuous increase in petrol prices.
“FM Miftah is among the hardest working members of PM’s team, accessible to all stakeholders,” tweeted Khawaja Asif.
“He is performing v. well under difficult circumstances, with immense criticism from vested interests – including, and unfortunately, from within PMLN. Time to show solidarity with Miftah.”
Miftah Ismail had recently said that he was “not supposed” to appear on national television to announce an increase in the cost of petroleum products, but that he did so in response to a directive from Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.
It is pertinent to mention here that PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif’s close aide and former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed his return to Pakistan in July. He said that he is coming back on the directions of Nawaz and the decision was taken after the consent of PM Shehbaz.
There was news circulating of Dar taking the charge of the finance ministry, to which he said he cannot decide this matter. “My party will decide.”
Ismail is under pressure since the government announced multiple hikes in petroleum products and the delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme.
