Nawaz rejects Shujaat Azeem's resignation

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday rejected the resignation of Shujaat Azeem, the special assistant to premier on aviation.

A statement released by the PM Office said "the premier will not accept Azeem's resignation until Supreme Court of Pakistan delivers a verdict in the case against him".

Azeem was appointed as the special adviser to the prime minister on aviation in January last year.

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).

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, 2016.

The adviser is facing similar allegations before the SC through petitions which he faced earlier, mentioning 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.

Also Read: SC asks govt to explain Captain Azeem’s appointment

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

SC restrains Azeem from playing role in PIA sale

Shujaat Azeem tenders resignation after Supreme Court's observation

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

lala

Dec 16, 2015 06:26pm

This man never took life seriously. How can such a man deal with such serious issues facing Pakistan.

Recommend 0

sr khan

Dec 16, 2015 07:46pm

Dear Chief Justice, please get the country rid of corrupt people

Recommend 0

ahmed

Dec 16, 2015 08:34pm

They couldn't find more corrupt person than Azeem to run the PIA affairs. Ex court marshelled air force officer. Yes has the right qualifications. I bet Sharif family has their eyes on buying the PIA through third party. This is a mega corruption opportunity for Pakistanis politicians.

Recommend 0

Naxalite

Dec 16, 2015 08:38pm

This Exposes MNS once again. Can't he get any other on-merit men for posts like CAA and President Office?

Recommend 0

@expat

Dec 16, 2015 09:40pm

A question mark on PM's judgement and his way of doing buisiness. Obviously moral value and good will is not his priority.

Recommend 0

Thru-the-eyes-of-history

Dec 16, 2015 10:05pm

SC may take suo moto against bad governance, corruption,deliberate conveyance ,with the corrupt offenders.

Recommend 0

PakiForum

Dec 16, 2015 10:07pm

Well done Nawaz Sharif

Recommend 0

Tahir

Dec 17, 2015 12:24am

I am travelling by PIA since seventies and seen its decay and near death by my own eyes, I think our country requires tough people like Shujaat Azeem, himself experienced aviation professional, an american trained commerical pilot, long experience of corporate aviation, he removed more than 300 people who had fake degrees from PIA and have brought the punctuality of PIA from 69 percent to 82 percent that is now close to Emirates which is at around 84 percent, aircrafts have been increased from 20s to around 40 and has brought financial discipline in PIA by decreasing thousands of free seats and visible improvement in financial health of the national flag career.

Recommend 0

Tahir

Dec 17, 2015 12:24am

PIA has millions of dollars loan since 80s and eats millions of dollars taxpayers money every year,inspite of that PIA has shown profit in its balance sheet after many decades, PIA is full of politically employed inefficient and uneducated staff. Any person who wants to turn PIA into a profitable entity will feel tough resistance from corrupt mafia and political unions that are controlling PIA and that is what this person is undergoing but I hope govt will be steadfast and resist all corrupt mafias and bring back the golden glory of our beloved national flag career.

Recommend 0

Philosopher (from Japan)

Dec 17, 2015 01:45am

Hmmm an apple of NS's eye.

Recommend 0

asad lateef

Dec 17, 2015 05:26am

@ahmed stupid.qatar air ways is taking management charge after purchasing 26% of shares.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.