ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ishaq Dar was sworn in as Senator amid loud protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Upper House members. PTI lawmakers surrounded Speaker’s dais, chanted slogans calling Dar a ‘thief’ while also holding placards condemning PML-N leader’s oath taking.

Dar had been elected to Senate from Punjab but could not take oath as he was not in country since 2017.

As he made his way to Senate, in an informal conversation with media Dar said “rupee’s value has dropped artificially,” admitting that government faced a big challenge with inflation.

“We will try our best,” he said, “God has blessed us in past with success”, expressing hope for future making notes of decline in debt and recent drop in pressure on domestic unit. “I love people and people love me,” he added.

Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar welcomed Dar to Senate. Opposition leader Shahzad Wasim said, “This system is protecting personalities” and expressed his reservations it was “turning into one family’s system”.

Meanwhile hearing of NAB reference related to assets beyond known sources of income against Ishaq Dar could not take place being Judge Muhammad Bashir of Accountability Court on leave. Ishaq Dar was to appear before court to surrender. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and IG Islamabad reached court but they returned when they came to know that judge was on leave. Stringent security measures were taken around AC in view of appearance of Ishaq Dar in court.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 28 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.