ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has accepted the resignations submitted by Special Assistant on National Health Services and Regulation Dr Zafar Mirza and Special Assistant on Digital Pakistan, Tania S Aidrus amid speculations whether both were asked to quit over performance or controversy over dual nationality was the actual cause of their resignations.
Two separate notifications were issued by the Cabinet Division for the acceptance of Dr Zafar Mirza and Dr Tania Aidrus's resignations on Wednesday with the first notification stated that in exercise of the powers conferred by rule 15 (1)(g) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the prime minister has been pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Dr Zafar Mirza, from the post of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, and Regulations.
Another notification also read that in exercise of the powers conferred by rule 15(1) (g) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the prime minister has been pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Tania S Aidrus, from the post of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Pakistan, with immediate effect.
Earlier, Dr Zafar Mirza and Tania Aidrus went on twitter to announce their resignations; however, there were media reports that both have been asked to resign as special assistants to the prime minister over performance and not on the controversy of dual nationality or foreign citizenship as claimed by them the real reason for resignations. Dr Zafar Mirza announced his resignation through Twitter with a tweet that "I have resigned as special assistant to the prime minister. I came to Pakistan on a personal invitation of Imran Khan PTI leaving WHO. I worked hard and honestly and it was a privilege to serve Pakistan. I am satisfied that I leave at a time when COVID-19 has declined in Pakistan as a result of a grand national effort. Due to ongoing negative discussion about the role of special assistants and criticism on the government, I choose to resign. Pakistani people deserve a better health care. I have worked sincerely to contribute to this cause."
Tania S Aidrus also went on Twitter to announce her resignation from the office of special assistant to prime minister and shared a copy of the letter she wrote to the prime minister along with a tweet. The letter read, "It has been an honor and privilege to serve you since earlier this year. I am grateful to you for reposing your trust in me. I returned to Pakistan with the singular intent to contribute and develop the vision of a Digital Pakistan, a concept which you have always voiced and I share. I always was and shall be a Pakistani. I believe the recent discourse in the public sphere about my Canadian nationality, which is a consequence of my birth and not an acquisition of choice, is a distraction to my ability to execute on the long term vision for a Digital Pakistan. It is unfortunate that a Pakistani's desire to serve Pakistan is clouded by such issues. I would, therefore like to request you to accept my resignation from my position as Special Assistant to the Prime Minster. I will continue to serve your vision and Pakistan through initiatives both in the private and public domain, where possible. I will always be available for any assistance that you may see fit."
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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