Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD1148
2008-03-14 12:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH POTENTIAL NEW MINISTER OF FINANCE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001148
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL PK
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH POTENTIAL NEW MINISTER OF FINANCE
MOHAMMED ISHAQ DAR
Ref: Islamabad 924
Classified by: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001148
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL PK
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH POTENTIAL NEW MINISTER OF FINANCE
MOHAMMED ISHAQ DAR
Ref: Islamabad 924
Classified by: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Summary: In a March 6 meeting with the Ambassador, Pakistan
Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, whose name
has been cited as a potential PML-N Minister of Finance, discussed
his relationship with Benazir Bhutto and the Pakistan People's Party
(PPP),and emphasized that the next government should put "personal
motives" aside and work solely for the people of Pakistan.
Ambassador brought up the key economic challenges for the next
government; Dar emphasized the need for transparency for the military
budget and subsidies. End summary.
Next government should be "100 percent for Pakistan"
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Ambassador met with potential Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz
Finance Minister candidate Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar March 6. Dar
emphasized that regardless whether PML-N or PPP assumes the Prime
Minister position, that person should devote himself "100 percent to
the people of Pakistan" and that there should be no
"self-motivation," explaining no financial gain for individual
officials. He also emphasized his role beginning in 2002 to bridge
differences between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He was
particularly proud of his work on the "Charter of Democracy." He
commented that he continues to work with Asif Zardari following
Bhutto's assassination. He thought that he would not be chosen as
Financial Minister despite his qualifications since "others should be
given a turn."
No details on key economic issues
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador raised the key economic issues facing the new
government, including subsidies, the budget deficit, energy, and the
military budget. On subsidies, Dar opined that the Musharraf
government has not been transparent. He also was adamant that the
military budget be considered by Parliament as more than a single
line item in the interest of greater transparency. In his view, the
current government has spent far too much on military salaries. In
response to the Ambassador's offer to help facilitate organization of
an investment conference focused on energy infrastructure, Dar agreed
this was a worthwhile venture.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Comment: As a former Minister of both Commerce and Finance,
a chartered accountant, and former Director at the International
Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and the Islamic Development
Bank, Dar has impressive economic policy credentials. However,
particularly in comparison with PPP's potential Finance Minister Syed
Naveed Qamar (reftel),he was short on specifics and quickly
reoriented the conversation back to his past accomplishments when
questioned directly. However, Dar was keenly aware of the many
economic challenges facing the new government. End comment.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL PK
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH POTENTIAL NEW MINISTER OF FINANCE
MOHAMMED ISHAQ DAR
Ref: Islamabad 924
Classified by: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Summary: In a March 6 meeting with the Ambassador, Pakistan
Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, whose name
has been cited as a potential PML-N Minister of Finance, discussed
his relationship with Benazir Bhutto and the Pakistan People's Party
(PPP),and emphasized that the next government should put "personal
motives" aside and work solely for the people of Pakistan.
Ambassador brought up the key economic challenges for the next
government; Dar emphasized the need for transparency for the military
budget and subsidies. End summary.
Next government should be "100 percent for Pakistan"
-------------- --------------
2. (C) Ambassador met with potential Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz
Finance Minister candidate Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar March 6. Dar
emphasized that regardless whether PML-N or PPP assumes the Prime
Minister position, that person should devote himself "100 percent to
the people of Pakistan" and that there should be no
"self-motivation," explaining no financial gain for individual
officials. He also emphasized his role beginning in 2002 to bridge
differences between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He was
particularly proud of his work on the "Charter of Democracy." He
commented that he continues to work with Asif Zardari following
Bhutto's assassination. He thought that he would not be chosen as
Financial Minister despite his qualifications since "others should be
given a turn."
No details on key economic issues
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador raised the key economic issues facing the new
government, including subsidies, the budget deficit, energy, and the
military budget. On subsidies, Dar opined that the Musharraf
government has not been transparent. He also was adamant that the
military budget be considered by Parliament as more than a single
line item in the interest of greater transparency. In his view, the
current government has spent far too much on military salaries. In
response to the Ambassador's offer to help facilitate organization of
an investment conference focused on energy infrastructure, Dar agreed
this was a worthwhile venture.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) Comment: As a former Minister of both Commerce and Finance,
a chartered accountant, and former Director at the International
Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and the Islamic Development
Bank, Dar has impressive economic policy credentials. However,
particularly in comparison with PPP's potential Finance Minister Syed
Naveed Qamar (reftel),he was short on specifics and quickly
reoriented the conversation back to his past accomplishments when
questioned directly. However, Dar was keenly aware of the many
economic challenges facing the new government. End comment.
PATTERSON