Bigotry has once again won over merit in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The newly elected government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has succumbed to the irrational and ruthless demands of self-righteous religious clerics, whose sole task is to spread hatred. Recently, the government has withdrawn the nomination of the highly qualified and world-famous economist Dr. Atif Mian from Economic Advisory Council, only because he was Ahmadi and religious factions who despise the Ahmadiya community didn’t want to see him on the post.
The government’s decision is a disappointment for those who want to see an inclusive Pakistan where members of minority communities have equal opportunities to represent themselves in every sphere of life.
Pakistan Government Removes Atif Mian from EAC
PTI senator Faisal Javed Khan announced about the government’s shocking decision on Twitter.
Atif Mian was asked to step down from the Advisory Council and he has agreed. A replacement would be announced later.
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) September 7, 2018
Earlier, the government had received applause for making an appointment merely on merit and taking someone on board who was capable of bringing the country on track to prosperity. The decision to appoint Atif Mian irrespective of his religious beliefs was indeed courageous and proof of government’s foresightedness.
Knowing @AtifRMian he would have even volunteered to work anonymously for Pakistan. @PTIofficial could have taken that option to avoid any controversy. Publicly including his name in the Econimic Advisory Council is a positive political statement by the PM & we should applaud it
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) September 1, 2018
The information minister of Pakistan Ch. Fawad Hussain had also defended Atif Mian’s appointment in a press conference that country belonged as much to minorities as it to the majority. He gave the example of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan who appointed Sir Zafarullah, an Ahmadi Muslim as foreign minister of the country.
معاشی مشاورتی کونسل کے رُکن عاطف میاں کے معاملے پر وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات کا رد عمل#PTI@fawadchaudhry pic.twitter.com/MUn7xSK9nE
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 4, 2018
After facing fierce criticism from religious parties, like Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), a pseudo-representative of Islam and political opportunist, the government has now removed Atif Mian from Economic Advisory Council only because he was an Ahmadi.
In another tweet Ch. Fawad Hussain announced that government had decided to withdraw the nomination of Atif Mian from Economic Advisory Committee, as it wanted to move ahead by taking along all the scholars and social factions.
حکومت نے فیصلہ کیا ہے کہ عاطف میاں کی اقتصادی مشاورتی کمیٹی سے نامزدگی واپس لے لی جائے،حکومت علماء اور تمام معاشرتی طبقات کو ساتھ لے کر ہی آگے بڑھنا چاہتی ہے اور اگر ایک نامزدگی سے مختلف تاثر پیدا ہوتا ہے تو یہ مناسب نہیں۔
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 7, 2018
In another tweet, the Information minister stated that Imran Khan’s ideal was the state of Madina. Prime Minister and members of his cabinet love the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Khatm-e-Nubuwat is the part of their faith. He also referred to Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ withdrawal from holding the blasphemous contest in the Netherlands and termed it the government’s success.
Criticism Over Government for Removing Atif Mian
Imran Khan’s government is under fierce criticism now for not standing against bigotry and moving ahead with the slaughter of merit in favor of hate.
https://twitter.com/zaafir94/status/1037957928186200064
A Sheer Disappointment for Found of Pakistan As Well
Pakistan: Shamelessly disappointing its founder for the past 44 years. pic.twitter.com/Iifm1POwM1
— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) September 7, 2018
PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT SURRENDERS!!! #Defeated #AtifMian #Shocked #IStandWithMinorities
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) September 7, 2018
It was not a prudent decision in Imran Khan’s Naya Pakistan which is facing scrutiny.
Not sure if I'm more concerned about the cowardice displayed or the fact that this speaks to an utter lack of foresight and coordination. Either way you've shot yourself in the foot very early in the game. And pulled back even when ALL the stars are in you favour. Oh well…
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) September 7, 2018
Can We Expect Naya Pakistan to be Progressive
“Naya Pakistan’ is not proving itself strong enough to stand against hatred and bigotry. The religious fanatics are continuing to win against intellect, qualification, and merit. The fierce opposition from the religious parties to stop the march towards the progressive country is one of the challenges that are going to determine whether next prime minister of Pakistan would be able to deliver or not. But, it seems that Khan who was determined enough to make its country and the people prosperous surrendered before the hatemongers and decided against an inclusive Pakistan where appointments should have been made by merit and not by one’s religious believes.
