Islamabad: Pakistan`s Finance Minister
Shaukat Tarin resigned on Tuesday following months of strained
relations with other members of the federal Cabinet, saying he
was stepping down to focus on his private business interests.
Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani accepted the resignation when
Tarin called on him at the Prime Minister`s House this
afternoon, an official statement said.
Tarin, who also held the planning, revenue and economic
affairs portfolios, said in his resignation that he was
quitting to focus on his family business and that he could not
do so if he remained a minister as it would result in a
conflict of interest.
He said he would extend his services and advice to the
government whenever it was needed.
Tarin also expressed his willingness to continue
fulfilling his responsibilities as a member of the National
Economic Advisory Council, besides giving suggestions on
economic matters.
Tarin, a former banker, was appointed advisor to the
Prime Minister on economic affairs in October 2008 and later
sworn in as Finance Minister.
He oversaw negotiations with the International Monetary
Fund in 2008 that led to a 11.5 billion-dollar agreement that
helped Pakistan stave off a balance of payment crisis.
During his meeting with Tarin, Gilani appreciated his
contributions in "turning around the sliding national
economy."
PTI
