TUESDAY FEBRUARY 07: Hafeez now adviser on Finance: Dr Asim made special assistant to Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh has been made adviser to Prime Minister on Finance. An official of Finance Ministry confirmed that the notification in relation to appointment of Dr Hafeez Sheikh as advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance had been issued and he would be addressing a news conference today (Tuesday) along with Iranian Vice-President on the conclusion of two-day talks on bilateral co-operation in various fields between the two countries.
The news conference of Hafeez Sheikh and Iranian official was postponed on Monday following a Supreme Court order that suspended the membership of all those legislators who have been elected after the approval of 18th Constitutional Amendment, but prior to the constitution of a full Election Commission of Pakistan.
Hafeez Sheikh reportedly cancelled all the engagements after the court order and a call-attention notice pertaining to Finance Ministry regarding increase in the Public Debt in National Assembly was answered by State Minister for Finance, Khawaj Sheraz. Hafeez Sheikh and other Parliamentarians would remain suspended as per the court order until passage of 20th Constitutional Amendment by the Parliament for validation of by-elections on 28 seats of Senate, National and Provincial Assemblies.
APP adds: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has appointed Dr Asim Hussain as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, with immediate effect. The Prime Minister made the appointment in terms of rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973 read with serial number 1A of Schedule-VA of the said Rules, a notification issued by the Cabinet Division here on Monday said.
The notification reads: "In terms of rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973 read with serial number 1A of Schedule-VA of the said Rules, the Prime Minister has been pleased to appoint, with immediate effect, Dr Asim Hussain as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, with the status of Federal Minister."