Former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chief Shabbar Zaidi claims that Asad Umar was removed as finance minister in the first year of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tenure due to the threat of default.
In an interview with anchor Shahzeb Khanzada, he said that in April 2019, a problem arose for Imran Khan’s government, so I and Arif Naqvi went to Imran Khan. We said the import, export and tax situation is such that you have to go to the IMF.
He (Imran Khan) replied that the question does not arise. If I told the position, they would say that you are right. He called Asad Umar and he (Asad Umar) replied that he is right.
According to Shabar Zaidi, ‘Imran Khan asked Asad Umar, why didn’t you tell me? So Asad Umar replied, I thought you know.
According to him, after three days, Asad Umar was removed from the post and Hafeez Sheikh was made the finance minister in his place. “Before this we repeatedly said that we will not go to the IMF. After that our whole system changed. Our problem is what we say to the Prime Minister.
