IMF, WB impose next finance advisor

ISLAMABAD The Government has, once again, succumbed to the growing pressure of the international institutions and is appointing Dr Abdul Hafiz Sheikh, a nominee of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, as Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance within days.
Dr Abdul Hafiz Sheikh, who served as federal minister for privatisation and investment in Musharrafs era, is expected to be appointed as the advisor on finance on Thursday or Friday, sources told TheNation on Wednesday. Presently, he is in Dubai and will arrive here today (Thursday). The notification of his appointment is likely to be issued on the day of his arrival.
It is pertinent to mention here that he held meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in couple of days. After the said meetings, he left for Dubai. According to the sources after long negotiations with the President and Prime Minister, he agreed to assume charge as finance advisor because earlier he was not willing to accept the designation.
He wants to work independently and asked the Prime Minister that he would not cave into any political pressure, sources informed. Presently, he is working as general partner with New Silk Route Partners (India) in Dubai.
Following the resignation of former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, the Government considered many names for the slot, including former finance advisor Dr Hafiz Pasha, former governor State Bank of Pakistan Ishrat Hussain, sitting Health Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and leading industrialist Nasim Beg etc.
The Prime Minister wanted to assign this portfolio to Makhdoom Shahabuddin while President Asif Ali Zardari supported Nasim Beg. The President and Prime Minister could not agree over it. The sources, however, opined that President Zardari had a soft corner for Mr. Sheikh, but the Prime Minister had no close relations with him.
The Government is enormously under the pressure from the IMF and World Bank for appointment of a finance minister to streamline the affairs relating to this important ministry.