Imran, a strong opposer of dual national public office holders, rejects criticism against his dual national teammates

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, who had until a few years earlier been strongly against dual nationals holding public offices, has now rejected criticism against his own team members holding dual nationalities, which has led to people calling it “another U-turn”.

“I don’t know why people say that dual nationals cannot get any public office and cannot become a minister and why they [people] move courts every other day,” Dawn quoted Imran as saying while launching the Roshan Pakistan Digital Account (RPDA).

وزیرِ اعظم عمران خان کا روشن ڈیجیٹل اکاؤنٹ کی افتتاحی تقریب سے خطاب

اوورسیز پاکستانی ہمارا سب سے بڑا اثاثہ ہیں۔

– وزیرِ اعظم عمران خان pic.twitter.com/I50f6dQvx5

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 10, 2020

RPDA will provide innovative banking solutions to millions of non-resident Pakistanis seeking to undertake fund transfers, bill payments and investment activities in Pakistan.

Expressing displeasure over criticism of dual nationals holding public office, the premier stressed the need for tapping what he called “resource pool” of Pakistani experts and professionals living abroad for uplifting of the country.

“We do not have a bigger asset than that [overseas Pakistanis]. The best minds, professionals and entrepreneurs are outside the country. When we will create [conducive] conditions in the country, this big resource pool can return to the country,” he said, adding that when he established Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, it created an opportunity for overseas Pakistani experts and they returned to run the hospital.

His statements, however, were not very well received by Twitterati, who pointed out that Imran, back in opposition days, himself was strictly against the practice of handing public offices to dual nationals.

Here’s what they had to say:

“I don’t know why people say that dual nationals cannot get any public office and cannot become a minister and why they [people] move courts every other day.” – Imran Khan yesterdayhttps://t.co/BMoZWobrSZ

Also Imran Khan: pic.twitter.com/BvBxcbdoUQ

— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) September 11, 2020

Wow ⁦@ImranKhanPTI⁩ doesn’t feel embarrassed asking this question!
“I don’t know why people say that dual nationals cannot get any public office and cannot become a minister and why they [people] move courts every other day,” the prime minister said. https://t.co/2nWyUAT5ZS

— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) September 11, 2020

@ImranKhanPTI stance on dual nationals now and after.

It is unfortunate, this man has no values, principles. He vehemently campaigned against dual nationals and now questions those who don’t support dual nationals in the parliament. pic.twitter.com/IG3xZYlOwJ

— Vaquas Alvi (@VaquasAlvi_) September 11, 2020

PM rejects criticism of dual nationals holding public office – https://t.co/KRQNuEzOtM (11 Sept 2020) Shujaat Azeem tenders resignation after Supreme Court's observation https://t.co/3HVDbrvCZy Mr Imran Khan Contradicts himself & his own statement
on #DualNationality pic.twitter.com/YXVaY65z5Z

— Aamir Mughal (@mughalbha) September 11, 2020

The premier and members of his cabinet holding dual nationality recently came under severe criticism when the assets and status of dual nationality of all non-elected cabinet members — special assistants to the prime minister (SAPM) and advisers — were made public.

SAPM on Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus resigned from her post due to the criticism levelled against her and the government because of her dual citizenship. In a tweet, Aidrus, who also holds Canadian nationality, had said, “Criticism levied towards the state as a consequence of my citizenship status is clouding the purpose of Digital Pakistan.”

Criticism levied towards the state as a consequence of my citizenship status is clouding the purpose of Digital Pakistan. 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 pic.twitter.com/BWBvBvO6uz

— Tania Aidrus (@taidrus) July 29, 2020

What do you think of the netizens’ reaction? Let The Current know in the comments below.