ISLAMABAD, March 16 Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who was privatisation minister in the Musharraf administration, is likely to become the country's top economic manager if his demand for complete freedom in formulating economic policies is accepted by the PPP leadership.

Sources close to Dr Shaikh told Dawn on Tuesday that the former senator from Sindh had specially flown in on a short trip for meetings with President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani and he was likely to be named as adviser on finance and economic affairs. The coveted position fell vacant with the resignation of finance minister Shaukat Tarin early this month.

“A man with credibility and economic standing Dr Hafeez would like to join the government in current circumstances only if he is assured of complete freedom and political support to stand up and take tough and prudent economic decisions,” the sources said. “Signals are positive,” they said when asked about chances of Dr Shaikh heading the government's economic team.

He returned quietly to Dubai where he currently works as general partner with New Silk Route Partners (India) — a $1.4 billion growth capital led by renowned US entrepreneur of Indian origin Rajat Gupta — and heads NSR Dubai as chairman.