Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar was removed on Thursday amid a wave of criticism over the government’s handling of the financial crisis the country is facing.
The change in the Finance Ministry comes at a time when Pakistan is in the middle of negotiating a new relief package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In a tweet, Umar said the move was “part of a cabinet reshuffle” and that Prime Minister Imran Khan offered him the energy portfolio.
“As part of a cabinet reshuffle, (the) Prime Minister desired that I take the Energy Minister portfolio instead of finance. However, I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position.”