ISLAMABAD: The special assistant to prime minister on aviation, Shujaat Azeem, tendered his resignation on Monday from his post, after the Supreme Court had restrained him from taking part in the sale process of Pakistan Airlines International (PIA), reported Radio Pakistan.

According to a spokesperson for the aviation division, the adviser had accepted his responsibilities in an honorary position, while not drawing salary as special assistant.

Also read: SC restrains Azeem from playing role in PIA sale

This is not the first time Azeem has resigned as he had earlier opted to quit as the adviser on aviation when his position was disputed in the SC.

Shujaat Azeem is required to appear in person before a three-judge SC bench headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali when the case will commence again on January 11.

The adviser is facing similar allegations before the SC through petitions which he faced earlier that he was court-martialled while he was in the service of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) from 1968 to 1979.

Earlier in July, Azeem had to resign from the post of adviser to the prime minister on the Aviation Division after he got embroiled in a controversy before the court for being court-martialled and having dual nationality (Canadian and Pakistani).

The court is seized with contempt of court petitions moved by a private citizen, Mehmood Akhtar Naqvi, as well as by the general secretary of Pakistan Airline Pilot Association against the prime minister for appointing the special assistant in contravention of earlier court directions in the high office with the status of the minister of state.

Related: Aviation division had no role in appointment of PM’s special adviser, court told