Pakistan ask economic adviser to step down on grounds of his faith

After receiving opposition from far-right groups who objected the appointment of Atif Mian on grounds of his faith, the Pakistan government has decided to ask the leading academic to relinquish his role as the economic advisor.

A member of the Ahmadi sect in Islam, Mian’s appointment as a member of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) took place just last week. He, however, has agreed to step down- a development which was made public by PTI lawmaker Faisal Javed  Khan on Twitter.

While confirming this decision, Pakistan’s Information minister Fawad Chaudhry explain that such a step had to be taken by the government because it wanted to maintain unity.

Chaudhry, as quoted by Al Jazeera, said, “The government wishes to move forward together with all religious scholars and social classes.”

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Mian also confirmed his decision on Twitter, saying that the government was facing, “adverse pressure” from Muslim clerics or Mullahs, with respect to his appointment.

1/ For the sake of the stability of the Government of Pakistan, I have resigned from the Economic Advisory Council, as the Government was facing a lot of adverse pressure regarding my appointment from the Mullahs (Muslim clerics) and their supporters.

— Atif Mian (@AtifRMian) September 7, 2018

2/ Nevertheless, I will always be ready to serve Pakistan as it is the country in which I was raised and which I love a great deal. Serving my country is an inherent part of my faith and will always be my heartfelt desire.

— Atif Mian (@AtifRMian) September 7, 2018

In a series of tweets, he explained his decision to step down and added that he’ll always, “be ready” to serve his country in whichever way possible.

Asim Khwaja, an US-based academic on the EAC also resigned as a mark of protest.

Have resigned from EAC. Painful, deeply sad decision. Grateful for chance to aid analytical reasoning but not when such values compromised. Personally as a Muslim I can’t justify this. May Allah forgive/guide me&us all.Ever ready to help.Pakistan Paindabadhttps://t.co/j80LHEhfRK

— Asim Ijaz Khwaja (@aikhwaja) September 7, 2018

He explained his resignation as being driven by sadness and that he couldn’t stay on a panel where there was a compromise on his values.

About roughly half-a-million Ahmadis reside in Pakistan where the people of this sect have always been victimised and they aren’t even allowed to refer to themselves as Muslims by law, as doing so would invite prison sentences.