ISLAMABAD - The government on Saturday made it clear that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has not tendered resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who is currently holding the charge of ministry of finance in the absence of Dar.

“Ishaq Dar is still the finance minister and there are several options available to him. There’s no resignation at this stage,” Prime Minister House spokesperson Musadik Malik said. He further said the prime minister is taking briefings on the matter related to the ministry of finance and other economic issues.

Later, State Minister for Information Marriyam Aurangzeb also clarified that Dar has not tendered the resignation. “Ishaq Dar who is not well has not resigned from his post,” she added.

Earlier, the news regarding resignation of Ishaq Dar echoed on the electronic and social media Saturday morning. It was reported that Dar had sent his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and that a decision on accepting the resignation would be made after the prime minister consults PML-N President Nawaz Sharif.

“The finance minister has not so far resigned. He will make a decision after the accountability court places his name on the Exit Control List (ECL) as recommended by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He may resign if the accountability court decides to place his name on ECL,” said a close aide of the finance minister, wishing not to be named. He further said Dar is in touch with the officials of the ministry minister of finance and Federal Board of Revenue on economic issues.

Ishaq Dar is currently in London for his heart treatment. The accountability court on September 27 this year indicted Dar in a corruption reference. He is accused of accumulating assets worth Rs 831.7 million, the amount disproportionate to his known sources of income. The court last week had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the minister due to his absence. The court had also issued a notice to Dar’s guarantor for failing to ensure the presence of the accused, adjourning the hearing until November 21.

All political parties are demanding resignation from the finance minister. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance also asked the government to appoint a new finance minister after removing Ishaq Dar from the post.

Meanwhile, sources in the ministry of finance said the government is considering constituting an economic advisory council comprising leading economic experts of the country. The council would formulate a strategy to overcome the economic crisis in the country. The council may comprise former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, former State Bank of Pakistan governor Dr Ishrat Hussain, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Dr Miftah Ismail.