WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has that his ministry has no role in the Panama Leaks Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which will carry out a probe into funds used by the prime minister's children to buy properties in London through offshore businesses.

Speaking during a news conference in Washington on Wednesday, Dar said that the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the State Bank (SBP), representatives of have also been made part of the JIT by the Supreme Court, are independent and empowered to carry out the investigation.

Dar said that the recommendations made by the inquiry committee formed to probe Dawn Leaks will be implemented.

But the finance minister denied that the inquiry committee had recommended the removal from office of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.

"From what I understand and the contents I have seen or read, it is not Tariq Fatemi's resignation. It is perhaps about Fatemi's change of portfolio," he said.

"Change of portfolio is very common. If I go back and PM decides to change [my portfolio], this is administrative. There are no new complications in this," he said.

He said that if Fatemi's portfolio is changed, it would merely be an administrative decision.

He, however, stressed an inquiry should be carried out into how the committee's report had been leaked before the government released it.

Speaking about the budget, Dar said relief would be given to common people.

The Pakistani finance minister also told the media about the growing informational technology sector in Pakistan, saying broadband network was being spread across the country. "Five auctions have been held regarding 3G and 4G."

Moreover, Dar added, there are over 3,000 companies registered in the IT sector.

Dar meets US national security adviser

Moreover, Dar met United States National Security Adviser H R McMaster in Washington. He spoke to Geo News about the meeting, saying he told the latter the soil of Pakistan should not be used against other countries.

The Pakistani finance minister said he told McMaster it was not in Pakistan's interests to end its ties with the US.

Dar added he told McMaster that Operation Zarb-e-Azb was made successful with the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army.

He has left for Pakistan after completing his visit to the US.