Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan lost two of his key aides on Wednesday when they resigned after the assets and dual nationalities of over a dozen of his special assistants were made public, prompting the Opposition to mount an attack on the government.
Shortly after Tania Aidrus, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on ‘Digital Pakistan’ announced her resignation, Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza too quit the high-profile job.
The resignations come amid recent criticism levelled against the government after assets and nationalities of 15 special assistants to Prime Minister Khan were made public last week, revealing that seven of them were either dual nationals or held another country’s permanent residency, as well as the details of their assets, the Express Tribune reported.
Aidrus, a former Google executive who was appointed as the Special Assistant earlier this year and tasked to head the Digital Pakistan initiative, announced her resignation after documents found that she had a Canadian citizenship and was also a resident of Singapore.
Aidrus announced on Twitter that she was resigning due to the criticism against the government because of her dual-citizenship.
“Criticism levied towards the state as a consequence of my citizenship status is clouding the purpose of ‘Digital Pakistan’. In the greater public interest, I have submitted my resignation from the SAPM role. I will continue to serve my country and the PM’s vision to my best ability,” Aidrus tweeted.
She also tweeted the image of her resignation letter that stated she had returned to Pakistan with the singular intent to contribute and develop the vision of a ‘Digital Pakistan’.
Hours after Aidrus’ resignation, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Khan on Health Dr Mirza also tendered his resignation.