WITH the appointment of Abdul Hafeez Shaikh as Adviser for Finance, the speculation as to who shall be guarding the government's finances has come to an end.

But critics have started questioning the government's rationale for appointing a key figure from the last regime's financial management team as finance advisor.

Critics state that the government, which is now facing a dearth of capable people within its own ranks to assign important portfolios, is now relying on people who were associated with the previous regime.

Sense seems to have prevailed at last within government ranks with the appointment of Mr Shaikh as Advisor for Finance as he has a sound professional background of having managed finances of both public and private sectors.

However, critics are, perhaps, not aware of the fact that Mr Shaikh is the son of one of the founding members of PPP i.e. the late Abdul Nabi Shaikh who belonged to Jacobabad, Sindh, and was one of closest associates of Z. A. Bhutto during the heydays of the PPP.

Irrespective of what his political background is, the newly-appointed advisor for finance faces many challenges in coping with the revival of capital inflow into the country, restoring the confidence of local and foreign investors, narrowing the fiscal gap, creating awareness about the benefits of paying tax, and controlling inflation in the country.

These are not soft challenges. Mr Shaikh will have to work hard and send positive signals within the next few weeks so as to build a strong fort around the worsening economy of the country.

It is sincerely hoped that Mr Shaikh will help the government in steering the country out of its present economic crises. Besides, it is hoped that with him at the helm of affairs there will be transparent and judicious distribution of resources, particularly towards backward and poor areas of the country.

ABDUL SAMAD CHANNA
Karachi