State Minister for Revenue Hammad Azhar Monday took oath as the Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs. The oath taking ceremony was held here at Aiwan-e-Sadr and President Dr Arif Alvi administered the oath to Azhar. The oath taking ceremony was attended by members of the federal cabinet and others.

While addressing the National Assembly on June 29 after the passage of annual budget-2019-20, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said, "Hammad Azhar has emerged as a young leader and earned the place of federal minister for himself due to his composure and hard work." The prime minister had also appointed Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh as an adviser on finance, revenue and economic affairs on April 19, 2019, while accepting the resignation of former Finance Minister Asad Umar. In a major cabinet reshuffle, the prime minister had asked Asad Umar to take the energy minister portfolio. The former minister turned down the offer and did not take any other ministry.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019