ISLAMABAD, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Pakistani Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh resigned on Tuesday, two officials said, amid speculation that he may take a position in a caretaker government that must be set up before a parliamentary election scheduled for this spring.

Pakistani law stipulates that the cabinet must step down and a caretaker government be in place for 90 days before an election. The date for the election has not yet been set.

Shaikh will be replaced by the state minister for finance, Saleem Mandviwalla, said one official in the finance ministry and another high-ranking government official.

(Reporting By Katharine Houreld; Editing by Ron Popeski) Keywords: PAKISTAN RESIGNATION/

(Katharine.Houreld@thomsonreuters.com)(+ 92 307 8888 153)(Reuters Messaging: katharine.houreld.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

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