ISLAMABAD – Former finance minister Asad Umar is likely to make a return tothe federal cabinet and is expected to hold two portfolios of Commerce andPlanning & Development ministries, The Nation has learnt.
Asad Umar met Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday, the first meeting betweenthe two since last month’s cabinet shuffle.
Asad Umar had initially ruled out accepting some other cabinet positionwhen the prime minister had asked him to step down as the finance minister.However, there has been a pressure on Asad Umar from within the PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf and highly influential and powerful quarters to revert hisdecision. “Asad Umar will be back in the cabinet soon,” remarked anofficial privy to the details.
Asad Umar, despite his lackluster performance as finance minister, retainsa popular support base within the party. He was one of the most prominentfaces of the party after Imran Khan during the election campaign and hasremained a trusted aide of prime minister.
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Asad Umar was, in fact, so sure of his strong position that he casuallylaughed off speculations about his removal when the news was leaked tolocal media last month about an impending change in the cabinet.
