ISLAMABAD : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government set a trend for declaring asset details of cabinet members on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In a statement Monday, the foreign minister said non-elected people held important positions in previous governments as well.
“The law allows it. There’s no problem in it,” Qureshi was quoted as saying on Monday about the government revealing that five of its cabinet members were nationals in other countries too.
Shah Mahmood said it needs to be seen what do the country’s constitution and law say about dual nationals holding key government posts, elaborating that a person having dual nationality can’t become a member of parliament. However, he added, there is no law barring them from taking up other responsibilities in a government set-up.
“Elected members have [their own] value. They are representatives of the people but every elected government needs expertise,” he said. “The Constitution gives space to the prime minister to nominate four advisors who have technocratic expertise,” he said
He pointed out that the incumbent government adopted a clear-cut policy with regard to conflict of interests, which no political party, barring the PTI, ever pursued. He explained the policy is aimed at barring the misuse of position for personal or monetary gains.
“In democracy, the status of elected representatives is higher because of the people’s trust in them, however government’s may need non-elected technical experts as their advisers. The practice is common worldwide,” Qureshi said.
While elected representatives enjoy public trust, the government needs technical experts to assist in running state affairs, the foreign minister stressed, adding the prime minister can appoint five advisers who have served in past governments as per the law.
“Isn’t surprising since previous governments have also appointed people with foreign nationality. “The prime minister has appointed technocrats. They are all experts of their respective fields,” he said.
Responding to a question regarding dual nationality of elected and non-elected members, Qureshi said that both are needed in the government for healthy balance. The Constitution gives space to the prime minister to nominate four advisors who have technocratic expertise, he added.
On July 18, the cabinet division issued details of assets and dual nationalities of the prime minister’s advisers and special assistants. According to a notification, out of 19 advisers and specials assistants to the premier, seven special assistants hold dual nationalities.
Those who hold dual nationalities include SAPM on Political Affairs Shahbaz Gill (US), SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar (US), SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari (UK), Moeed Yousuf (US), SAPM on Power Division Shahzad Qasim (US), SAPM on Parliamentary Coordination Nadeem Afzal Gondal (Canada) and SAPM on Digital Pakistan Tania S. Aidrus (Canada and Singapore).
Meanwhile, talking with media’s, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan will continue to expose Indian brutalities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir at every international forum.
The Foreign Minister said there is a clear stance that Pakistan is standing with our Kashmiri brethren in their struggle for right to self-determination.
He said we acknowledge the pledge of Kashmiri people to accede with Pakistan even before the independence of Pakistan. He said the hooligans of RSS are targeting innocent Muslims and Modi has tarnished the secular and democratic face of India.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said BJP’s fundamental policies towards Muslims have exposed India’s hegemonic designs and expansionist policies. He said the meeting of the apex committee is scheduled on Wednesday to brief the political and military leadership regarding recent developments in Ladakh.
The Foreign Minister said all Opposition parties are also invited to make unanimous policy on the Kashmir issue. He said Pakistan is moving in the right direction for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He said China is also unhappy with India’s mischievous activities in the region.
