There are some strong contenders for the post of Finance Minister in the upcoming government led by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, among whom Ishaq Dar is at the top. Ishaq Dar has been the finance minister many times and also at a time when Pakistan is trying to get another package from International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avoid default, Ishaq Dar is being considered as the top favorite for this important post. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar also expressed her desire to add her name to this list and she believes that she has the support of IMF, business community and corporate leadership as she is making her last efforts for the position. Another strong candidate is Mohammad Aurangzeb, an experienced banker and the current President of Pakistani bank, he took over as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank on April 30, 2018.

Sultan Ailan-ul-Alana's name is also being considered for the post of Finance Minister, while Salman Ahmed is an unlikely candidate in the race. Salman Ahmed is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a well-known US university, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard University. His stint at McKinsey, a leading global strategy firm in Pakistan, underscores his ability to overcome challenges faced by governments and large corporations and formulate growth-oriented strategies. Salman Ahmed is hopeful to bring Pakistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) up to 8% through implementation of strategic policy.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)