Daily Times

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government asked Dr. Atif Mian, a leading Pakistani-American economist, to step down from the Economic Advisory Council.

Pakistan’s ulema opposed the appointment, because of Mian’s Ahmadiyya faith. “The government wants to move forward together with the ulema and all social classes,” Information Minister Fawad Chauhdry tweeted. “And if one nomination creates differences, that’s not appropriate.”

PTI Senator Faisal Javed confirmed in a tweet that Mian has agreed to step down.

Filmmaker Jamshed Mahmood shared disappointment over the decision by tweeting, “Pakistan was asked to step down, not Asif Mian.”

Journalist Nadeem Paracha and others shared similar sentiments.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chaudhry defended Mian’s appointment saying Pakistan belongs to the minorities as much as it belongs to anyone else.

“What’s wrong with the appointment of (Mian) as a member of the EAC?” Chaudhry said. “A person who the whole world says will receive the Nobel Peace Prize in the next five years,” he said. “It’s not like we appointed him as a member of the Islamic Council.”

The EAC will comprise of 18 members, seven will belong to the government sector while the remaining 11 will belong to the private sector.