Finance Minister Asad Umar has decided to step down amid reports of federal cabinet reshuffle and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal with Pakistan.

Umar, via Twitter, announced earlier that he has obtained the prime minister’s consent “to not take any cabinet position” days after reports of a reshuffle in the cabinet were rubbished by the Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

“As part of a cabinet reshuffle, [the] prime minister desired that I take the energy minister portfolio instead of finance,” he said. “However, I have obtained his consent to not take any cabinet position.”

Addressing a press conference shortly after the tweet, Asad Umar expressed firm commitment to continue working for materializing the dream of prosperous ‘Naya Pakistan’ under the leadership of Imran Khan.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan intended to make some reshuffle in the federal cabinet and the announcement for further changes was expected shortly.

He said amid reshuffle news, he met with the prime minister last evening and this morning, convinced him on his decision to step down from the cabinet, instead of taking any other portfolio.

He said stepping down from the membership of the cabinet did not mean leaving Imran Khan’s vision for a developed and prosperous Pakistan, saying he was always available and would remain so in future.

“I shall always remain available for implementing the agenda of change introduced by Imran Khan, which has been based on economically stable and socially strong Pakistan and would continue my struggle for this as I believe in that the Imran Khan was the only person who could bring change in this country,” he added.

“New Pakistan would become reality and Imran Khan would lead,” he said.