Dual nationals can serve as special assistants, advisers: FM

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.

Qureshi 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).