Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday handed over powers to chair ECC and Ecnec meetings to his Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin, Business Recorder has learnt. Sources said that a notification to this effect was issued a few days ago by the Cabinet Division on the directives of Prime Minister and from now onward the advisor on finance would chair the meetings of both the bodies and take all important decisions on economic issues.
Prior to former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the powers to chair the Ecnec and ECC meetings rest with the Finance Minister whereas the Prime Minister was only chairing the National Economic Council (NEC) and Cabinet meetings. Shaukat Aziz, who also kept the portfolio of Finance Minister, issued a notification that empowered Prime Minister to chair the meetings of the Ecnec and ECC. Shaukat''s decision to consolidate powers within one office was criticised by opponents.
Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro also enjoyed these powers and kept the chairmanship of both the bodies with himself. Initially, the present government also continued with the practice. Sources said that the advisor on finance also chaired half of the last Ecnec meeting after the special authorisation of Prime Minister Gilani.