'What happened to made in Pakistan?': Opposition lambastes govt after revelations about assets, dual nationalities of aides

Dawn.com Imtiaz Ali Javed Hussain Published July 19, 2020

The opposition on Sunday lambasted the government after it made public the details of assets and dual nationalities of 20 advisers and special assistants to the prime minister.

According to Information Minister Shibli Faraz, the directives to make the information public were issued by the premier himself.

According to the cabinet division’s notification, out of 19 non-elected cabinet members, four special assistants to the prime minister (SAPMs) hold dual nationalities, including SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar (US), SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari (United Kingdom), SAPM on Power Division Shahzad Qasim (US) and and SAPM on Digital Pakistan Tania S. Aidrus (Canada).

Among those holding residency of other countries are SAPM on Political Affairs Shahbaz Gill (United States), SAPM on National Security Moeed Yousuf (US), SAPM on Parliamentary Coordination Nadeem Afzal Gondal (Canada) and Aidrus (Singapore).

Reacting to the revelations, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman questioned how advisers and aides who sit in the federal cabinet can be dual nationals when members of parliament can not.

In a tweet, she said: "Imran Khan has repeatedly said he stands against government aides, advisers, ministers who swear an oath of allegiance to another country. What happened to #MadeinPakistan?"

In a statement, PPP Information Secretary Nafisa Shah said that the information about assets and dual nationalities of advisers and special assistants to the premier had opened a "Pandora's box".

"The selected prime minister has been exposed after the truth about his advisers has come to light. Half of the selected prime minister's cabinet, who himself used to make tall claims about dual nationalities, have been found to be dual nationals."

Shah also questioned what action is being taken against the cabinet members in light of the information released. "How can those that have [pledged] their allegiance to another country be expected to be sincere with Pakistan?"

Sindh government spokesperson Murataza Wahab called the presence of people with dual nationalities in the federal cabinet a "security risk".

In a statement, he said that those who envisioned "Naya Pakistan" called in consultants from abroad and included them in the federal cabinet. He maintained that the Constitution does not allow dual nationals to join the cabinet or become members of parliament.

Tweeting a video of the premier expressing his views on politicians and members of parliament holding dual nationalities, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said: "His hypocrisy is shameless as his duplicity is destroying a nation. All Imran Khan is missing is a flute."

In a separate statement, Aurangzeb demanded that the premier and his aides resign. "You [Imran] had said that it is not possible for ministers to have dual citizenship. You had said that if you have a passport from another country, you cannot sit in parliament.

"So why has the premier allowed those with dual nationalities to make decisions deciding the fate of the 22 million people in the country?"

Because of these foreign nationals, the people are facing unemployment, economic devastation and hunger, she said.

Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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Ahmad

Jul 19, 2020 04:41pm

One more U-turn.

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Furrukh Rao

Jul 19, 2020 04:45pm

You cant make progress if you lack common sense.

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A Khan

Jul 19, 2020 04:54pm

Govt should be praised for it's transparency. Clearly the opposition doesn't understand the difference between an elected representative and an advisor.

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Dr. Habib A. Zuberi

Jul 19, 2020 05:31pm

This is a reasonable criticism. People holding dual nationality may serve the government in advisory capacity, but should not hold a cabinet position.

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Amir

Jul 19, 2020 05:31pm

what happened to investing in Pakistan, not UK, what about children in Pakistan not in UK?Medical treatments and holdidays abroad

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Omer

Jul 19, 2020 05:37pm

I don't see anything wrong happening here! He tried to picked best people to assist him run the country. Being member of Nation Assembly and SAPM are two different things!

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Critic

Jul 19, 2020 05:39pm

Here to scam and enjoy luxury life waiting abroad, that’s the game they play.

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Fastrack

Jul 19, 2020 05:41pm

How can foreigners make decisions as ministers in Pakisatan?

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Jul 19, 2020 05:51pm

Why every single of them have dual nationality? Does it mean no Pakistani citizen is qualified to be an advisor or aide? Something is fishy.....How can you expect 100% loyalty and maintaining secrecy?

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Jehengir khan

Jul 19, 2020 05:55pm

Corruption runs deep here...

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Laila

Jul 19, 2020 06:02pm

@Omer, and he could not find the right and qualified people to assist him in this country of 216 million people?

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Saad

Jul 19, 2020 06:02pm

As long as they are not part of cabinet meetings and only have an advisory role to PM then I don’t see what all the fuss is about !? Are our politicians trained to be experts in the fields relevant to their ministries or do they at least have basic functional know-how of them? And if you do not allow advisors then are we expecting the current cadre of politicians to solve our problems when for most of them their only skill set is politics and they are pretty useless when it comes to professional achievements ?

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Chrís Dăń

Jul 19, 2020 06:04pm

Opposition leaders have a single nationality ut they looted this nation ruthlessly. These Pakistanis having dual nationalities are mainly self made people with a competetive mind.let them work.

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Chrís Dăń

Jul 19, 2020 06:06pm

@Critic , these dual identity holders earned their better life. Not looted the national ex-chequer.

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Shami

Jul 19, 2020 06:26pm

It’s the dual national who are sending billions of dollars every year to Pakistan in the form of remittances which keeps the economy afloat...if dual nationals can have the right to vote, what is this needless fuss about from so called opposition....

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Saleem

Jul 19, 2020 06:33pm

A great step by Imran Khan and shows his committment and honesty toeards Pakistan. Same is true about those who declared their asset and slapped thugs who held public office (as politicians or bureaucrats), looted Pakistan, showed dishonesty and never declared what they had (as most of it was from corruption). Shame on them

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Shahid

Jul 19, 2020 06:38pm

What they are complaining about is that it is exclusively their and their family members' right whether it be dual nationality or Iqamas while in office or governance. After all they have already bankrupted this country and there are more even bigger opportunities of big money via incoming foreign currencies coming in from foreign debts. They know well State has to run which provides perpetual opportunities.

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Hussain

Jul 19, 2020 06:45pm

@Omer, dual nationality, where does your responsibility lie. With Pakistan or USA, UK, Canada? Isn't this an escape route in case of any problem.

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Ajaz

Jul 19, 2020 06:53pm

He thinks rich people will do a better job.

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ABC$

Jul 19, 2020 07:01pm

SAPM is not an elected office so it is OK and also not unlawful.

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Ahmad

Jul 19, 2020 07:38pm

@Omer, so he couldn’t find people who are only Pakistan national!!! Unbelievable.

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Erum Aziz

Jul 19, 2020 07:49pm

Investors must leave whether inside Parliment or working as SAPM. Dual national means working for a nation but sold sincerity, faithfulness and loyalty to other country. First time in the history of Pakistan that a political party is doing reforms within it's party. Remove the investors and dual nationals.

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Sairbeen plus.

Jul 19, 2020 07:50pm

Be it dual national Pak, tri- national Pak, overseas Pak, Pak Origin, or just Pakistani, all are legal & should have equal rights as per Constitution of Pak. The overseas Paks are better law abiding & groomed class of people. It’s most unfortunate that the serving dual nationals are being forced to disclose their assets. Such information can only be asked by FBR if applicable, and not by PMO. Pak always appreciated & aknowledged great remittances pouring in through overseas Paks, but why prejudices, discrimination, hate, when the same guys comes back to serve. The obvious reason is that local legislators holding fake degrees, belonging to feudal arrogant class, can’t tolerate the well educated honest class of dual nationals within their ranks, and they found them as hurdle in their corruption motives.

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Ahsan

Jul 19, 2020 07:59pm

Special advisors to the PM and Ministers/MNAs are fundamentally different. Advisors have no autonomy and no authority

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Kaspar

Jul 19, 2020 08:04pm

Doing everything the way the predecessors did, or worse... yet claiming tabdeeli!! Dishonesty, moral and intellectual, and even financial via some cabinet members, in every act or statement of kaptaan!!

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Asfand

Jul 19, 2020 08:26pm

Dual nationals do not send remittances to Pakistan in fact they take money from here by selling their properties

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Texas Ranger

Jul 19, 2020 08:29pm

many people have government jobs in this country, are receiving pay checks but living in foreign countries

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Sameera

Jul 19, 2020 08:33pm

World has witnessed Made in Pakistan. CPEC will be a boost.

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Jul 19, 2020 08:34pm

In near future, overseas citizen will be on PM chair (won't be Suprised).

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AbdulHaque Shaikh

Jul 19, 2020 08:38pm

There should not be debate about dual nationality of Cabinet members or advisers. These individual serve in professional capacity to implement political or administrative agenda/law originated by law makers in Parliament. The elected law makers are the one who makes policy or law for Pakistan and should have higher standard of loyalty

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Riazullah Baig

Jul 19, 2020 08:40pm

Objection sustained and now please ask your supremo NS and his whole family to come back to Pakistan with all their money, and please, don't hold your party meetings in London and Dubai from now on!

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Daskalos

Jul 19, 2020 09:08pm

All dual nationals wishing to continue in Pakistani service must immediately surrender their foreign nationalities.

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Strategist

Jul 19, 2020 09:41pm

With what honour can one even question when the leaders of the opposition don't hold their money in Pakistani banks and their treatment is done abroad too ? Pakistanis will need to re-write these rules themselves and the only way to go, is to go back to how we were in 1947. Re-make Karachi your Usual Capital and Islamabad can remain as Summer Capital. The Federation is the state and at the moment, it is the weakest it has ever been due to Provincial Autonomy.

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Zohaib

Jul 19, 2020 09:47pm

Serving in a professional capacity (like an advisor) is one thing and being a member of parliament is altogether a different thing. It's like comparing apples and oranges. The idea here is to make use of the talent of overseas pakistanis who have the desire and passion to serve their country of origin in a professional capacity and the best of exmaple is that of Ms.Tania S. Aidrus

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charlie

Jul 19, 2020 10:16pm

These are Pakistanis first. They left the country to make a living - not a crime under any circumstances. Now they are back to serve the country with all their experiences and learnings - while leaving their high paid overseas gigs. Pakistan is lucky to have them back.

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Javaid

Jul 19, 2020 10:33pm

@Hussain, Dual National are as loyal to Pakistan as you and me .

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Ahmed

Jul 19, 2020 10:36pm

Huge gap between words and actions. Austerity? This is the largest cabinet ever, perhaps the largest anywhere.

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Zzz

Jul 19, 2020 10:48pm

If dual nationality is acceptable within purview of the law, what’s the big fuss about? Dual nationality is an option, why does it stop you from serving the country or make you any less Pakistani than the rest? Please tell me one good reason besides ‘retirement plan’ and I’m all for throwing dual nationality in the bin.

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Hafeez

Jul 19, 2020 11:06pm

Anybody who is loyal, honest to Pakistan and intelligent is better than just a green passport holder.

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Samir

Jul 19, 2020 11:19pm

It is the opposition's role to make noise when they have nothing concrete to say. These are just false allegations without any substance. IK government is doing great service to the nation.

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Nursab

Jul 19, 2020 11:25pm

Short sighted opposition

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Dr.Sadaf

Jul 19, 2020 11:43pm

When the elected people are not capable enough then you need help and that comes in the form of advisers, the elected members being not comfortable with these advisers only means one thing and that is , maybe , they are not letting them do things in their particular style, hence the pain being felt is a lot.

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Asmat Khan

Jul 19, 2020 11:58pm

"Shah also questioned what action is being taken against the cabinet members in light of the information released. "How can those that have [pledged] their allegiance to another country be expected to be sincere with Pakistan?" Take affirmative action and recruit all expats! They are honest Pakistanis, the provide and earn the foreign reserves, that your elites use to waste on expensive merchandise! How much did you and the me 10% not steal from that reserve Ms. Shah?

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Common man

Jul 20, 2020 12:00am

Don't talk without knowing anything. Made in paksitan are effectively increasing. Terrorists are the only thing made in paksitan

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Babar

Jul 20, 2020 01:12am

Please give all positions to Bilawal, Hamza, Maryam, Salman, Bukhtawar and Asifa. No need of competent peoples who bring best practices to their homeland.

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Ukasha Rajpoot

Jul 20, 2020 01:24am

This clearly shows how much under influence we are of IMF etc plus western world. Do anybody in a real state of mind can think they can make a real state of Madina. Not in your wildest dream. We are a proud kowtown nation and will remain one in years to come ruled by these western educated and trained masters.

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Think Twice

Jul 20, 2020 01:29am

This narrative by opposition is strange and illogical when their leaders are sitting in foreign countries, most of their children are holding foreign nationalities their assets are transferred to foreign lands and one of the leader can only speak poor Urdu with heavy foreign accent. Pakistan born members of the team have Pakistan at heart, they could enjoy a much better life in other countries but they choose to serve their country of origin, what is wrong with that ?

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Zahid Ansari

Jul 20, 2020 01:36am

The only issue our oppositions has with this is that they would have to do it in future too.. But i tell them not to worry.. It won't be anytime soon they are in government.

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Think Twice

Jul 20, 2020 01:55am

Who gave anyone right to defranchise overseas Pakistanis relieving them of serving their country while enjoying billions in US dollars received annually by same to keep the country afloat.

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Yawar

Jul 20, 2020 02:33am

"Because of these foreign nationals, the people are facing unemployment, economic devastation and hunger, she said." Kindly explain how these dual nationals, some of whom have given up their lucrative careers abroad to help Pakistan, have caused economic devastation and unemployment and have taken away food from the mouths of Pakistanis.

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Yawar

Jul 20, 2020 02:37am

PPP needs to first fix the secondary and higher education system in Sind before criticizing the presence of foreign trained dual nationals in government.

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Mohsin

Jul 20, 2020 02:48am

Main issue is here is having dual nationalities OR that these individual procure the assets while being in Govt. using public resources. Prior govt parities (PMLN, PP and others) member extorted and imported wealth that belonged to Pakistani public which is being dealt with. These individuals do bring a perspective that being dual nationals and I don't think that it should be painted with the same brush. There is no LAW in constitution that per say prohibit anyone from dual nationality. Everyone from Namaz Family and other previously had dual citizenships. The main question here is for these people ARE they doing their jobs sincerely and if it is the case; this should be a non-issue.

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NACParis

Jul 20, 2020 03:00am

Do not understand the fuss being made by the opposition. Their leadership and children have either British Nationality or Permanent residence of UK. The only difference is that Nawaz, Shahbaz and most of the family members cannot vote but enjoys all other benefit with their huge investments.

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Ali

Jul 20, 2020 03:40am

The idea of not allowing dual nationals to run for Parliament is flawed. From an ideological point of view it might win points, but if a country allows its citizens to hold other nationalities, excluding them from the right to run for public office or become members of legislative assemblies is discriminatory. All citizens of a State should be treated equally. Pakistan has a large and successful overseas population who should be able to come back and be part of the public service. Pakistan is happy to rely on remittances as a lucrative source of foreign exchange but otherwise treats its overseas citizens as outsiders.

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IGTH

Jul 20, 2020 04:55am

Denial has no limits

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Adil Jadoon

Jul 20, 2020 06:17am

Why can’t aides have dual nationalities if they are competent! Most Pakistanis are incompetent and only interested in advancing their own desires. Looks at the majority of Pakistani beaurocracy. They go to office to make contacts and do favors....

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googly

Jul 20, 2020 06:51am

Imported administration.

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GreenOracle

Jul 20, 2020 07:36am

All these guys will run abroad the moment any other party comes to power, which it inevitably will And there will no accountability. We will then hear about the excesses done by these paid overseas consultants.

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Ukasha Rajpoot

Jul 20, 2020 07:54am

Next month is very crucial for Pakistani politics.

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Adam khan (Canada)

Jul 20, 2020 07:57am

@Ahmad, read the article one more time.

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rana1

Jul 20, 2020 08:09am

@Shami , .no dual nationals can vote.Get your information checked.

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pakistan

Jul 20, 2020 08:23am

Whats wrong in dual nationality.

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aqeel

Jul 20, 2020 09:21am

only people speaking in favor of this article are the ones holding dual citizenship; I would normally support PTI but they are wrong here and these people must be kicked out. There are many qualified pakistanis capable of handling these responsibilities.

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pakistani

Jul 20, 2020 09:27am

And we are still waiting for details of previous PP and PML's leaders - let alone their advisors! And yet our people can't see a difference?

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Laila

Jul 20, 2020 10:00am

Rich privilege, nepotism, connection based appointments, corruption still dominate our nation. Why are we recruiting foreigners when we have a huge population of over 216million people of which surely some are educated, suitable and up for the task? Not only is our government foreign funded but the government itself consists of foreigners.

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