The Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have hailed the appointment of Dr Miftah Ismail as Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, with the status of Federal Minister. The President LCCI, Yakoob Karim said that the country was in dire need of a full-time finance minister at this juncture when the country's economy is in shambles and local currency was under immense pressure.

He has been granted the status of federal minister to serve as finance adviser in the remaining few months of the incumbent government's term. Ismail's designation was confirmed after President Mamnoon Hussain appointed him on the advice of PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. LCCI chief said that Ismail, who is a political economist and a member of the ruling PML-N, holds a PhD from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and hoped that he would strive hard to revive the economy and clear the mess created by the ousted Finance Minister, Ishaque Dar who is facing a corruption trial whereas accountability court has declared him an absconder.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017