Tania Aidrus quits after severe backlash faced due to her dual nationality
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus announced that she is resigning from her position after severe backlash faced due to her dual nationality. She said that she felt that the impact of the debate will have ill effects on the Digital Pakistan project.
“Criticism levied towards the state as a consequence of my citizenship status is clouding the purpose of Digital Pakistan”, Airdus said.
Aidrus holds a Canadian nationality by birth. She has held a number of high profile positions with Google including Director, Product, Payments for Next Billion Users, most recently. She was appointed to lead the Digital Pakistan initiative in December, 2019.
“In the greater public interest, I have submitted my resignation from the SAPM role. I will continue to serve my country and the PM’s vision to my best ability,” she said in a tweet. She also attached a picture of her resignation from the position.
“It is unfortunate that a Pakistani’s desire to serve Pakistan is clouded by such issues,” she said. “I always was and shall be a Pakistani.”
Dr. Zafar Mirza also resigns
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza also announced his resignation from the position. He has thus far, successfully led the charge against the novel coronavirus in the country. He said that he is resigning due to the recent criticism at the government.
“I worked hard and honestly. It was a privilege to serve Pakistan. I am satisfied that I leave at a time when Covid -19 has declined in Pakistan as a result of a grand national effort,” Mirza said.
As per reports, the prime minister has accepted both resignations. A number of other advisors to Prime Minister hold dual nationalities including SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar (US), SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari (United Kingdom), and SAPM on Power Division Shahzad Qasim (US).