Tania Aidrus steps down as special assistant on Digital Pakistan

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus announced to step down on Wednesday over her dual Citizenship matter.

Tania Aidrus announced that she has submitted her resignation to Prime Minister Imran Khan in “greater public interest” over her dual citizenship matter.

“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,” Aidrus tweeted.

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

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— Tania Aidrus (@taidrus) July 29, 2020

Furthermore, Aidrus in her resignation letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan said it had been an honour and privilege to serve.

“I returned to Pakistan with the singular intent to contribute and develop the vision of a Digital Pakistan, a concept which you have always voiced and I share,” she said.

She added, “I always was and shall be a Pakistani.”

“I believe the recent discourse in the public sphere about my Canadian nationality, which is a consequence of my birth and not an acquisition of choice, is a distraction to my ability to execute on the long term vision for a Digital Pakistan,” she said.

“It is unfortunate that a Pakistani’s desire to serve Pakistan is clouded by such issues. I shall continue to serve your vision and Pakistan through initiatives both in the private and public domain, where possible,” she added.

Earlier this month, the government had released the details of assets and nationalities of special assistants and advisers to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Since then, Tania Aidrus’s Canadian citizenship has been a matter of debate in the political circles and opposition lawmakers have questioned the presence of dual nationals in the Federal Cabinet.