Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar steps down
Islamabad: Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar, who was involved in extensive discussions with the IMF to finalise a bailout package for the cash-strapped country, quit the Cabinet on Thursday after Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his desire to shift him to the energy ministry.
Umar, who recently returned from a trip to the US in which the details of Pakistan's next International Monetary Fund bailout were finalised, said he has obtained the prime minister's consent "to not take any cabinet position".
"As part of a cabinet reshuffle, prime minister desired that I take the energy minister portfolio instead of finance," Umar said. "However, I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position."
Prime Minister Khan-led government and Finance Minister Umar in particular have faced mounting criticism by opposition parties, members of the business community and citizens over the handling of the economic crisis.
On Monday, the Pakistani media reported that a major reshuffle was on the cards in the Finance Ministry.
However, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry denied the reports of the reshuffle. "There is no truth in reports regarding changes in posts of federal ministers. The prime minister has the power to change ministers and the media should play a responsible role on this subject," he tweeted.
Cash-strapped Pakistan is seeking USD 8 billion from the IMF to bail itself out from a severe balance-of-payments crisis that threatens to cripple the country's economy.
Pakistan has so far received a total of USD 9.1 billion in financial aid packages from friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE during the current fiscal year.
Finance Minister Umar said earlier this month that a mission of the IMF would visit Islamabad soon after the spring meetings of the World Bank Group, which includes the IMF, and an agreement should be signed by the end of this month
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Karnataka celebrates Makara Sankranti with great religious fervour
Bengaluru (PTI): Makara Sankranti, marking the Sun's transition into Makara Rashi or capricorn sign, is being celebrated with traditional fervour across Karnataka on Thursday, with temples witnessing heavy footfall and households observing age-old rituals.
In Bengaluru, thousands of devotees thronged the historic Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple at Gavipuram in Basavanagudi from the early hours.
The temple holds special significance on Makara Sankranti as the setting Sun's rays pass through the horns of the stone Nandi and illuminate the Shiva Linga inside the cave temple.
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The Sun's rays directly falling on the Linga in the afternoon on Makara Sankranti is a rare and unique occurrence, symbolising the cosmic alignment and Lord Shiva's blessings, temple authorities said.
Police and temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements to regulate the crowd as devotees queued up to have a darshan of Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the cave shrine.
Across the state, devotees offered prayers in temples and observed Sankranti rituals at home.
The festival is traditionally celebrated as Suggi in Karnataka, marking the harvest season.
On this day, festive dishes are prepared and 'Ellu-Bella', a mix of sesame seeds, jaggery, groundnuts and coconut, is distributed to the near and dear ones wishing for their safety and good luck.
In rural parts of Karnataka, farmers celebrate the harvest with special pujas, cattle worship and community gatherings, reflecting gratitude for a good crop.
Cultural programmes and traditional games will also be organised on this day adding colour to the celebrations in several districts.
Flowers, jujube fruits and sugarcane were in great demand in the market as they are the key ingredients for the pujas.
