Azhar relieved of Revenue Division portfolio, given economic affairs charge

--Sources say PM Imran changed the portfolio of Hammad Azhar owing to strong protest lodged by Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh

ISLAMABAD: A day after his appointment as the federal minister for Revenue Division, Hammad Azhar has been relieved of the portfolio, a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday said.

Instead, Azhar has now been appointed the

federal minister for Economic Affairs Division, a comparatively less important portfolio.

According to the notification, “Hammad Azhar will

hold the portfolio of Economic Affairs Division, with immediate effect, as
allocated by the prime minister in terms of rule 3(4) of the Rules of Business,
1973.”

It further read, “The prime minister has also

approved that adviser to the PM Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh shall cease to hold the
portfolio of Economic Affairs Division, with immediate effect.

“The earlier allocated portfolio of Revenue

Division to Hammad Azhar and cessation of the portfolio of Revenue Division by
Abdul Hafeez Shaikh may be treated as withdrawn.”

On Tuesday, Azhar took oath as a federal

minister for Revenue Division. President Arif Alvi had administered the oath at
the President House.

As per media reports, Prime Minister Imran Khan withdrew the portfolio of Revenue Division from Hammad Azhar due to “strong protest lodged by Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh”.

Sources in the finance ministry revealed that

Shaikh lodged a strong protest with the prime minister on Tuesday over
withdrawal of the Revenue Division portfolio. He even hinted at resigning from
his position.

The premier conceded to Shaikh’s demand, as he could not afford to change another finance minister within three months, said the sources.

It is pertinent to mention that PM Imran Khan had

announced to elevate Azhar as federal minister due to his exceptionally good
performance in the presentation of the budget and its defence in the National
Assembly against a charged opposition.