Shaukat Tarin appointed as PM Khan’s aide on finance and revenue 

Islamabad: Shaukat Tarin on Monday has been appointed as adviser to the Prime Minister Imran Khan on finance and revenue.

A notification issued by Joint Secretary to the Cabinet cited, “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 93 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, has been pleased to appoint, with immediate effect, Mr. Shaukat Ahmed Tarin as Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, with the status of Federal Minister”.

It is pertinent to mention here that the appointment of Adviser to PM on Finance and Revenues, Tarin will not be able to chair any cabinet committee meeting such as the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC), Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCOP) and others.  

Tarin had assumed charge as the Minister of Finance on April 17, 2021 and his constitutional term for the ministerial portfolio expired on October 16.

Under the Constitution, he needed to be elected to parliament within six months in order to continue in his post after his appointment, but he couldn’t. Thus, there was no other option left for the government but to appoint Tarin PM’s aide on Finance and Revenue.

Earlier, the government decided to get Tarin elected as a senator from Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) to ensure continuity and stability in markets.

Reports quoting sources said that the government would announce its plan for election of Tarin from Punjab against Senator Ishaq Dar's seat, which remained vacant in the absence of former finance minister.

Ishaq Dar has not taken oath because of his self-exile in the UK.

Shaukat Tarin is currently in the US holding negotiations with the International monetary fund (IMF).