Tarin being tipped as PM advisor on finance

LAHORE - President of Saudi-Pak Commercial Bank Shaukat Tarin is being tipped in the bureaucratic circles as a new Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance with the status of federal minister.

Tarin, a well-known banker, has been brought in as economic czar with a full mandate to fix the ailing economy of Pakistan. On Saturday, he met with President Zardari in Islamabad .It is learnt through bureaucratic and corporate circles that President Zardari has already decided to appoint him as Advisor on Finance.

His induction in the cabinet will take place soon after President Zardari's return from US.

Mr Tarin has a long experience in banking industry and an old association with the business community in Pakistan.

 He remained Country Head of Citi Bank in Pakistan as well as in Thailand. He also served as Chairman Habib Bank before its privatisation.

He has been credited for turning around the bank. After serving HBL, he became Chairman and CEO of Union Bank, which was later, sold out to Standard Chartered Bank.

Moreover, he had been elected twice as chairman of Karachi Stock Exchange.