Eyebrows raised over Zulfi’s appointment

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has appointed his friend Zulfi Bukhari as his special assistant on overseas Pakistanis and human resource development.

“Prime Minister has been pleased to appoint, with effect from [Sept 14, 2018], Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, with the status of minister of state,” read a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Monday. Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, aka Zulfi Bukhari, is one of the close friends of the prime minister.

Earlier, for July 25 elections, he was in-charge of elections campaigns of PTI chief Imran Khan for NA-53 Islamabad. He is a dual British-Pakistani national.

On his appointment as special assistant, questions are being raised in opposition circles, as some members said that being a dual national, who is also facing an inquiry by the National Accountability Bureau, Mr Bukhari should have not been made special assistant. It is relevant to note that in a NAB inquiry, he is accused of owning offshore companies in British Virgin Islands and assets beyond his known sources of income.

It may be mentioned that in interviews Imran Khan gave to Geo and ARY news channels he defended Zulfi and said as a British national he was not answerable to any NAB inquiry in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2018

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Kashif Ali Abbasi is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with 17 years of experience in journalism. He covers sports, the education sector, and civic issues. He can be found on X at @AbbasiKashif833.

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Amin syed

Sep 19, 2018 09:25am

A friend in need is a friend indeed

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Sep 19, 2018 09:25am

Unbelievable decision making so far. Why on earth PTI would appointment an already controversial person. Why take a risk at this time?

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rehan

Sep 19, 2018 09:26am

This double standard is bound to bring confusion.

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Anum SIddiqui

Sep 19, 2018 09:27am

Its not a reference yet

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Leoman

Sep 19, 2018 09:29am

PTI claimed to follow policy of merit and to uplift downtrodden but practically they're following in some way or the other the policy of previous leaders.

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JA-Australia

Sep 19, 2018 09:38am

Questions are also being raised by PTI supporters like myself. Why does Imran Khan insist on scoring own goals with these controversial appointments? Can he not find one person out of 200 million who is not under investigation? Psychologists have theories about some people's tendency to sabotage their own success.

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Magnanimous approach

Sep 19, 2018 09:41am

He is a dual national and can avail benefits in both countries. Unless proven please note nobody could be condemned. If NAB found anything bad, it can take action in Pakistan, as well as inform UK Authorities about that, he certainly cannot find safe heaven in UK. PM Imran Khan has chosen the right person.

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Zala

Sep 19, 2018 09:41am

If Zulfi bukhari is not answerable to NAB in essence to the people of Pakistan. Well then he should serve the British government. The dual citizens should not be employed be the government of Pakistan.

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Zahid

Sep 19, 2018 09:44am

Government of u-turns. Gas prizes increased by 143%. Foreign national inducted in federal cabinet. Afghan nationals offered Pakistani nationality. Asking Foreign Governments for Loan. Going on foreign tours within one month of assuming government. List goes on and on.

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Khalid

Sep 19, 2018 09:53am

Its for the SJ to take suo motto as he has already gave verdict on the issue.

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Faisal Ahmed

Sep 19, 2018 09:58am

This is just the beginning, be ready for same surprises what used to happen in last governments, its just a change of face not policy.

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Mushahid

Sep 19, 2018 10:04am

Many overseas Pakistanis are turned off by this decision! IK is acting like NS! Where is appointments on merit! Loyalty to the leader pays high dividends!

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Danish

Sep 19, 2018 10:08am

I think Imran Khan should avoid to bring his friends upfront in the government. He has been criticizing nepotism so it seems ridiculous when he himself follows the suit.

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Abdul Zaheer

Sep 19, 2018 10:14am

Baseless critisim, move forward keep eye his performance and also give some time to work.

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Alba

Sep 19, 2018 10:14am

Imran is still new in the business.

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Nusrat

Sep 19, 2018 10:15am

what a change....!!!!

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Sep 19, 2018 10:19am

Not a good decision

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Aamir

Sep 19, 2018 10:25am

He is a friend indeed. The dual nationality should be considered, IK should bring the improvements to the law instead of misuse the law as past dynasties!

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naeem gulzar

Sep 19, 2018 10:30am

poor decision

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mani

Sep 19, 2018 10:50am

Overseas affair needs to be handled by an overseas person. No ? or someone from Lahore who never had a taste of being overseas shall handle these affairs. Selection of Zulfi can be discussed but the discussion should not be on the selection of dual national holder, specifically for this position.

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mani

Sep 19, 2018 10:50am

@Zala what is the meaning of overseas ?

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MSAlvi (USA)

Sep 19, 2018 10:51am

This appointment is very much misunderstood by the people. Zulfi has dual citizenship; so he can have appointments in both countries. Zulfi is Imran's friend, so Imran knows whether he is suitable for the job or not. The last but not the least, it is a political appointment. Political appointees are always friends or close allies in the circle of the political leader. All the other ministers, including Qureshi, Mazari, Rashid, Khattak, etc., are also Imran's friends or allies. Zulfi is now one of them. I have lived in USA for over 50 years. Here also, political appointees are always that way. Merit is used for other hiring in buroucracy. Top leadership is political appointments.

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JA-Australia

Sep 19, 2018 10:53am

@Magnanimous approach Dual nationals should not hold ministerial positions. This point should be non-negotiable. Such is the law also in Australia. If this person is so patriotic, he can serve Pakistan in a private capacity. He does not need to be a minister.

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MSAlvi (USA)

Sep 19, 2018 10:57am

Imran has won the election. He is PM. He has the power to make political appointments under the law. All these comments are out of order.

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Adnan Shah

Sep 19, 2018 10:58am

As a dual national he is subject to both nations laws and NAB is right to take action. Nepotism in naya Pakistan

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MSAlvi (USA)

Sep 19, 2018 11:01am

I think Zulfi is the right person for this job. He is PM's legal political appointment. Don't make fuss about it.

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MSAlvi (USA)

Sep 19, 2018 11:03am

It is a suitable appointment.

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Ahram

Sep 19, 2018 11:05am

Am I surprised, NO.

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Warraich

Sep 19, 2018 11:06am

A controversial decision as Zulfi is being tried by NAB in offshore companies reference. I wonder why is Imran Kan taking such decisions that would have a direct impact on his popularity and raise doubts over his meritocracy.

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PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN)

Sep 19, 2018 11:20am

Movie still remains my friend. It's just a start more surprises are yet to come. Stay tuned.

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Hassan

Sep 19, 2018 11:22am

@Magnanimous approach Delusional you are!

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PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN)

Sep 19, 2018 11:23am

Isn't Zulfi Bukhari the same person in whose defence PTI supporters claimed he was not even a citizen of Pakistan so Pakistani laws are not applicable on him. Am I right?

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Leoman

Sep 19, 2018 11:35am

One thing has been found common in the present leader that he would also not care what common people are saying about his decision.

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Realist

Sep 19, 2018 11:49am

Rest in peace PTI

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Sep 19, 2018 11:53am

PM has to get the job done through his colleagues and close friends. Let him work and see his performance.

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Tariq Islam

Sep 19, 2018 12:10pm

So whats wrong in keeping dual nationalities? if the person is capable of delivering and competent! consider it as hiring a foreign national coach for Pakistan cricket team! no body makes a fuss about it!

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M. Saeed

Sep 19, 2018 12:22pm

@Amin syed: Even the wide age difference between the two betrays the friendship.

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Dr. Mohsin

Sep 19, 2018 12:40pm

Until he is cleared from NAB, he shouldnt be appointed. Bad decision. As far as dual nationality is concerned, the post he is being offered is to manage affairs of dual nationals, some already dual nationals nd some in the process.

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Mansur Ul Haque

Sep 19, 2018 12:44pm

Imran Khan raised his stature by distancing it self from his good relatives (Hafeez Ulah K.Niazietc. )who played major role in bringing him to politics. Consequently, they suffered the brunt from Imran's political rivals. Imran similarly kicked his child hood hero Majid Khan when he became Captain of cricket. One wonders Imran's both these decisions were based on justice, especially when he has appointed Zulfi Bokhari his friend as his advisor. Bokhari don't have any special credential other than friend of Imran.

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Sameer

Sep 19, 2018 12:50pm

Agreed. We hardly know anything about Zulfikar Bhukhari. To me he seems to be an equivalent case of Ali Jahangir Siddique.

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Saif Zulfiqar

Sep 19, 2018 12:50pm

Whole cabinet members are friends. What is wrong if qualified friend is given the job? Some comment for the sake of comments and are useless commentators.

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Tajammal

Sep 19, 2018 01:08pm

He was not controversial, made controversial by PML(N) government.

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fairplay

Sep 19, 2018 01:25pm

until cleared by NAB, he should not have been nominated. irrational decision by the PM.

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Inam Ali

Sep 19, 2018 02:00pm

So unfortunate ! On what basis does Zulfi Bukhari qualifies for this position ? A question, IK used to ask about others.......

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M. Saeed

Sep 19, 2018 02:24pm

He considers himself being above the law now.

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RTS

Sep 19, 2018 02:27pm

This shows how much is merit being followed in this govt. IK is increasing his baggage day by day.

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Khalid

Sep 19, 2018 02:39pm

As much as like IK, this was a bad decision. Is jobs for friends a merit-based policy?. I am disappointed.

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Asif A. Shah

Sep 19, 2018 04:11pm

PTI should make efforts to avoid the appearance of impropriety. That will help develop the culture for the Rule of Law in the country. Until the decision of the NAB case Zulifi Bukhari should not be part of the government. As a matter of fact, like Baber Awan, he himself should tender his resignation from this post.

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Mkhan

Sep 19, 2018 04:34pm

IK has done its again. A U turn Shareef’s children can also not answerable to NAB as they are also dual citizen WELL DONE IK

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Saad Khan

Sep 19, 2018 04:40pm

He is much better than Dar, Hamza, Shahbaz, Nawaz, Zardari and almost all, who never was on public office, and has NOT stolen any tax payers money. By the Way, he is already very influencial in foreign and can bring lot of foreign exchange, that's the only aim to appoint this young man.

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Tarik

Sep 19, 2018 05:13pm

Great decision, guy knows lot about Pakistani living abroad.

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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA

Sep 19, 2018 06:05pm

@Magnanimous approach You are absolutely right. One feel disgusted with those who try to make mountain from a mole. He is definitely a better choice as he knows the pschye of overseas Pakistanis and would bring dividends in promoting and serving country’s interests in a much better way then those not exposed. If he is holding offshore company as alleged, that is for the British government which would deal with it in case it found any illegality in the matter because he never held any public position in Pakistan or for that matter involved inmoney laundering as others have done. I, for one, wish this young man best of luck and hope that he will make his best efforts to serve Pakistan.

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Adnan Akhter

Sep 19, 2018 06:16pm

Yet another hasty decision. PTI is becoming famous for taking unfamous decisions and taking back.

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zahid

Sep 19, 2018 07:17pm

Is this the merit IK has been talking? I as a Pakistani American don't want/ need a Zulfi guiding policy on overseas. There are a lot of very well qualified overseas Pakistanis who are willing to work without any benefits in return.. So disappointed in this government's decision making so far.....

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Adi

Sep 20, 2018 07:43am

Time for friends to party ! Like we used to have in old pakistan , what a change or is it!

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