ISLAMABAD, DEC 22 (DNA) – The federal government has appointed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Rana Afzal as state minister for finance.

The ruling party legislator is currently serving as the parliamentary secretary for finance.

The appointment comes a month after former finance minister Ishaq Dar requested the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for indefinite leave for undergoing a treatment abroad, after which the ministry portfolio fell vacant.

Dar, who is facing a corruption trial in an accountability court, has been in London allegedly receiving medical treatment for cardiac issues.

According to reports, a decision to appoint Afzal was taken during a meeting held between PML-N president Nawaz Sharif and PM Abbasi. However, the federal government is yet to issue a notification to this effect, following which Afzal would take oath as finance minister.

Afzal has been elected to National Assembly from NA-82 constituency of Faisalabad. He has served Pakistan Army as a captain from 1971 to 1976.

He is graduated from NED University Karachi, besides holding a master’s degree in Political Science from Balochistan University, Quetta.

In December 2013, he was appointed as Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization.