This is the second time since 2018 that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran has changes its finance minister. Federal Information Ministry Shibli Faraz has replaced Abdul Hafeez Sheikh as finance minister, reported Dawn. 

The removal came as Abdul Hafeez Sheikh failed to win a senate election and to remain the post he has to be a member of either house. The newly appointed finance minister, however, said Sheikh was removed because the prime minister was not satisfied with his performance. 

“The prime minister has formed a new economic team to provide relief to the masses. PM Imran wants to bring down inflation in the country,” he was quoted saying by the Express Tribune.

Earlier, PM Khan had asked his special assistant on petroleum Nadeem Babar and the secretary petroleum to step down in order to ensure transparency in the fuel crisis probe. 

The opposition alliance PDM claimed the removal of the finance minister as their victory. 

“Sacking Finance minister is a victory of PDM. PTIMF minister needed to be elected to continue in post & senate defeat made that impossible. Now government admits inflation is skyrocketing because of its failed policies. The parliamentary opposition has proven most effective vs this regime”  tweeted PPP leader Bhulawal Bhutto Zardari.