Tania Aidrus & Dr. Zafar Mirza has resigned on Wednesday as a special assistants to Prime Minister (SAPM) Imran Khan for Digital Pakistan & Health.
In a tweet today, Aidrus said that criticizing the state as a result of his citizenship is harming the goal of digital Pakistan. She went on to say that she had resigned from the prime minister in the "interest of the general public".
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
"I will continue to do my best to serve my country and the Prime Minister's vision," she said. In her letter of resignation, she said she had returned to Pakistan with the unique intention of contributing to and developing Digital Pakistan's vision.
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However, she said the recent public debate about her Canadian citizenship is a distraction from her ability to implement the long-term vision of a digital Pakistan.
"It is unfortunate that a Pakistani desire to serve Pakistan has been destroyed by such problems," she added in her letter.
Aidrus was named SAPM in February this year. Before returning to Pakistan, she worked for Google for 12 years in various leadership positions. Most recently she was "Director, Product, Payments for Next Billion Users".
Dr. Zafar Mirza stepped down on Wednesday as Imran Khan, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant (SAPM) for health.
In a tweet, Mirza announced his resignation today, saying he left the World Health Organization and came to Pakistan at the invitation of the Prime Minister. He said he worked hard and served Pakistan fairly.
Due to ongoing negative discussion about the role of SAPMs & criticism on the gov, I choose to resign. Pakistani people deserve a better health care. I have worked sincerely to contribute to this cause. 🇵🇰 will Inshallah emerge out of COVID-19 with a stronger hlth care system.
— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) July 29, 2020
He also said he withdrew due to the ongoing negative discussion about the role of SAPM and criticism of the government.
"I am delighted to be at a time when COVID-19 has declined in Pakistan as a result of increased national efforts," he tweeted.
He said the country would come from COVID-19 with a stronger health care system.
