Dual national can’t watch Pak’s interests: SC

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The Supreme Court has summoned Advisor to Prime Minister on Aviation Shujat Azim on Thursday in person to explain his position about his dual nationality and retaining the office despite his court martial by the army.

Under the supervision of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday, a three-member bench held the hearing of the case about corruption in the construction of new Islamabad airport.

The court also advised Additional Attorney General Shah Khawar to present all the record summaries and notification in the court regarding the appointment of Shujat Azim as the advisor to PM.

The CJP asked that was this only job left for the apex court to review all the state affairs. He said how could a Canadian national who faced the term of court martial by the military court be appointed on the slot of advisor to prime minister in violation of law.

He said the advisor could be appointed only under Article 92 read with Article 63 of the constitution. The strategic affairs of the country were much important and how could a dual nationality-holder look after the matters regarding aviation and defence.

Iftikhar Gillani told the court that the civil aviation authority had issued notices to all the concerned on the directives of court. The chief justice asked, “Had they deposited their passports so that they could not leave the country?”

The court was told that the aviation division had been separated from the defence and Advisor to PM Shujat Azim was given the status of federal minister and notification to this effect was also issued.

Justice Azmat said the dual nationality-holder could not become the member of the parliament, then how could he be made advisor to PM. Justice Jawad S Khawaja said the issues relating to the defence of the country could not be handed over to a citizen of another country.

The AAG requested the court to give him some time for gathering required information from the concerned quarters and the CJP allowed him 24 hours.

The chief justice showed his resentment on the matter and said the government should come up with some appropriate answer.

1 COMMENT

  1. The post of Governor State Bank of Pakistan is responsible to monitor Ruppee stability and acts as a watchdog of banking industry. Unfortunately the existing Governor of the State Bank is also a US citizen…

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