SC seeks report on appointment of Zulfi Bukhari as PM special assistant
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The Supreme Court on Friday sought a detailed report from the government on the appointment of Zulfi Bukhari as the prime minister's special assistant on overseas Pakistanis and human resource development.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had appointed his close aide Zulfiqar Hussain Bukhari, aka Zulfi Bukhari, as his special assistant in September. Muhammad Adil Chattha from Lahore and Mirza Abdul Moiz Baig from Karachi filed a petition against his appointment which was taken up by the top court at the Lahore registry today.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, presiding over today's hearing, remarked that making appointments on important posts is a crucial national duty. "Such issues should be run as per the national interests and not on the basis of friendships," the CJP said.
Bukhari's counsel Aitzaz Ahsan told the court that the prime minister has the right to appoint his special advisers.
CJP said that the prime minister is a trustee of the people. "The prime minister should not run the affairs as per his own will; we will decide whether matters are being run as per the Constitution or not."
"Nepotism should not be seen in appointments on higher posts," added the top judge.
Read: Eyebrows raised over Zulfi’s appointment
"On which basis was Bukhari appointed? Who directed that a summary be prepared [for his appointment]?"
The lawyer said that Bukhari was not given a constitutional post. He was appointed as per the rules of business.
"Bukhari is not a member of the cabinet," said Ahsan.
"This post [assistant to PM on overseas Pakistanis] should be given to a dual national," argued Ahsan, adding that holding visas of the United Kingdom and Pakistan helps the person [to run the affairs].
"We had not appreciated nepotism in the case of Jahangir Tareen. What is the specialty of Zulfi Bukhari? Or has he been appointed an assistant because he is a friend to 'someone'?" the CJP asked, noting that this was an important case.
Bukhari told the court that he has done his graduation in Political Science. He said that he has excellent relations with overseas Pakistanis and he claimed to be among the top 100 Pakistanis in the UK.
"I am a property developer in the UK and I have access to overseas Pakistanis to bring business to Pakistan. People know me," he said, when asked about his profession abroad.
"Did you ever live in Pakistan?" asked CJP Nisar. Bukhari replied that he studied in Pakistan for five years until the age of 18. "Must have been a 'mummy daddy' school," replied the judge.
The top judge directed Ahsan to submit a report on his client's credentials. The hearing of the case was adjourned until Dec 5.
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Comments (62) Closed
Nov 16, 2018 12:28pm
Sir Model Town masacar is still awaiting your kind attention...Will please take up the case asap and provide the justice to the murder of innocent people...Guess it is more pressing issue than the one in discussion...
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Nov 16, 2018 12:46pm
Mr. Zulfi should give a background and submit his CV and his past activities details. His area of expertise. The general public should know.
Well done SC
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Nov 16, 2018 12:52pm
No other country has office bearers holding dual nationality.
This person was solely appointed on the basis of friendship and not merit. There are far better qualified Pakistanis who who run with this post.
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Nov 16, 2018 12:54pm
Imran khan is making same mistakes as he alleged other past governments.
So what exactly is new about this Naya Pakistan!
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Nov 16, 2018 12:59pm
@Jo,
So what about the 80 members of the Sharif family
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Nov 16, 2018 01:02pm
Jo@ Please Name a few. Show you care.
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Nov 16, 2018 01:12pm
Bad decision by PM Imran Khan...how can he be so juvenile and devoid of any sense. This is a clear case of nepotism and favoring a friend, so all the talks about meritocracy and getting the best was just talks and election promises. Feeling so bad about it after supporting PTI...
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Nov 16, 2018 01:26pm
Naya Pakistan working just like old Pakistan!
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Nov 16, 2018 01:55pm
Rightly said CJP! the rules of law for everyone whatever the post is,
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Nov 16, 2018 02:10pm
Aitzaz Hassan? - he is affiliated to the PPP - bad choice
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Nov 16, 2018 02:11pm
@Jo, hold on - this guy isn’t a minister - he is a special advisor - do you know the difference?
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Nov 16, 2018 02:29pm
We need an overseas Pakistani not a dual national.
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Nov 16, 2018 02:35pm
Governance needs support of ministers and advisers for sure. But they have to be qualified, competent, trustworthy and dedicated to Pakistan only. Any dual national can never rise to such single oath holder status by definition. PM in IK has not chosen many of his ministers and advisers including this one carefully. In affairs of national governance, there is no room for love or hate on personal basis. It is still time for him to change his outkook, attitude and course to make his still nascent administration credible and successful towards serving interests of this beautiful country. He should be open to invite competent and qualified Pakistani individuals whoever they be, including from oppisition. For that he has to 'know' who genuine experts in different fields and disciplines are, and there are many. That would be real change b/c it presents all inclusive broader platform for selection of the best to serve nation in the basis of merit and mutual trust.
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Nov 16, 2018 02:47pm
@Jo, The U.K. parliament has 12 Pakistani nationals, Canada also has Pakistani national in their parliament.
Remember 1971 war where East Pakistan became Bungladesh? Dual citizenship only become available to Pakistan.
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Nov 16, 2018 03:39pm
@Shib, Zulfadli Bukhara case is as important as any other.
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Nov 16, 2018 03:50pm
@Sid, as per notification of appointment, he is special adviser with the status of a minister. He runs the overseas pakistani and human resource development ministery, he is a minister in all but name per PTI notification.
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Nov 16, 2018 03:54pm
Nepotism example without any doubt by PTI government claiming to built Naya Pakistan.
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Nov 16, 2018 04:04pm
I am IK supporter all the way and appreciate CJP is keep checking on him.
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Nov 16, 2018 04:22pm
Bur, he is a very close friend of PM IK. All are equal but, some are more than equal.
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Nov 16, 2018 04:50pm
Naya Pakistan.
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Nov 16, 2018 05:03pm
SC is picking up on the non-issues. please concentrate on the corruption in Sindh.
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Nov 16, 2018 05:08pm
If we have trusted a person to be the PM then we should let him choose his team afterall at the end he will be answerable for their collective performance so plz let him do his job without unnecessary trivialities wasting everyone's precious time including the CJ's
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Nov 16, 2018 05:11pm
Zulfiqar Bukhari meets all the requirements for his job! I think there are other far more important issues and cases which needs SC's attention!
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Nov 16, 2018 05:16pm
he doesn't hold a ministry and is just an advisor. Its not about friendship but more about trust. I work as a director in a global company and even I hire people whom I can trust. Ishaq Dar in NS govt. was a true case of friendship and relationship before merit as he was given the most important ministry job.
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Nov 16, 2018 05:44pm
If the role is unpaid, then SC has no right to question the appointment. It should not pick up every frivolous petition which wastes everyone's time.
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Nov 16, 2018 05:54pm
If this is merit then what is cronyism and favoritism?
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Nov 16, 2018 06:21pm
CJ has a valid point within the legal framework. Nowhere in the world a person holding duel nationality can be assigned assistant to a PM. However he can be employed on the side. Anyone and people change that doesn’t mean Zulfi will.
Zulfi can assist but assistant to PM should be a Pakistani national. Sincerely
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Nov 16, 2018 06:25pm
The untouchables of our PM
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Nov 16, 2018 06:25pm
@Zaffar ,
Did not PTI argue about fixing the system? As per law of the land, a dual citizen cannot hold constitutional post. Zulfi Bukhari is enjoying the parks and previledges of a minister and his special relationship with Imran Khan has earned him this job. He was a real estate broker in the UK like many other hundreds. That does not qualify him to be a special assistant with the rank of a Minister. They are many qualified people in the PTI more than Mr Bukhari but they are ignored by IK.
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Nov 16, 2018 06:39pm
Put simply, IK should summon his friend to his office or send him an SMS: "You're FIred"!
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Nov 16, 2018 07:06pm
What Chief Justice says is absolutely correct. Such actions will result in Prime Miniter's down fall. PM...keep your slate clean and let Mr. Zulfi do what he wants to do, but not as a member of your team.
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Nov 16, 2018 07:08pm
@Jo, This is not true...some do maintain dual nationality.
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Nov 16, 2018 07:10pm
@Adi, Old Pakistan was far better peace, prosperity, progress.
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Nov 16, 2018 07:31pm
I have got no clue why Mr PM started appeasing people on the basis of friendship? I thought there might be a change in this government atleast.
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Nov 16, 2018 07:32pm
@Jo, You don’t really know all the facts!!
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Nov 16, 2018 07:34pm
Please don't forget, Zulfi is the friend of Ladla IK. So Justice doesn't apply .
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Nov 16, 2018 07:41pm
@Jo, Not true.
Many countries have dual nationals serving in advisory special roles for their governments. Just take a look across the borders where governments are using full benefit of dual nationals to help develop their economy and technology advancements for the public and private sector.
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Nov 16, 2018 07:49pm
The IDEAL candidate for this post would be a person in his mid-50s to mid-60s, did his graduation, at least a bachelor degree from Pakistan, went overseas in the 70's, acquired his overseas credentials, visited Pakistan at least every 3 years, has a complete knowledge of Pakistanis living overseas and is an expert in his/her field. He need not be given a cabinet status but should enjoy full confidence and approach directly to the PM. Pakistanis living overseas do not have time for the red tape or standing in line for any function. A retired, educated, Overseas Pakistani is a very suitable person.
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Nov 16, 2018 07:51pm
The Supreme Court Justice should definetly have more pressing matters than this one. He seems to be doing legislation as well
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Nov 16, 2018 08:08pm
As per PML-N and PPP, this post should have been given to Maulana Fazal Ur Rahman and not to Zulfi Bukhari.
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Nov 16, 2018 08:09pm
Mr. Khan should not have two faces. On one side he deposit gifted wrist watch and on other side he takes premiership and authority to please friends. Not done
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Nov 16, 2018 08:23pm
His pay should be performance based
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Nov 16, 2018 08:25pm
@Jo, you need to go and see USA and Canada. Many Pakistanis work there with dual nationality.
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Nov 16, 2018 08:26pm
In political appointments, trust carries more weight than merit. Good examples will be Generals chosen by Bhutto and NS.
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Nov 16, 2018 08:29pm
@ARIF UR RAHMAN, overseas Pakistani with more experience became dual national because they had no choice due lack of opportunities here. With opportunities now they are ready to serve as they r serving abroad with dual nationality
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Nov 16, 2018 08:45pm
I think he PM has the prerogative to hire any one as his assistant/advisor. Would it make a difference if he doesn’t take a salary?
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Nov 16, 2018 08:46pm
@Jo, "No other country has office bearers holding dual nationality."
Not entirely true! Check some public officials in the UK, France, Canada, Australia and US for instance, You will find that hasty comment was misguided and false!
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Nov 16, 2018 08:46pm
@MAK, there is absolutely no need for this appointment whether from Pakistan or from overseas.
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Nov 16, 2018 08:47pm
Just awesome!
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Nov 16, 2018 09:04pm
@MAK, even mark zucherburg (founder of Facebook) will not meet your criteria for being an advisor to PM!
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Nov 16, 2018 09:11pm
The PM can take advice from who ever he likes.
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Nov 16, 2018 09:22pm
@Jo, Why do not you step forward? Or name someone?
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Nov 16, 2018 09:26pm
This is not as big an issue as it is being portrayed.
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Nov 16, 2018 09:29pm
I'm all for this position to be held by someone who has dual nationality, it makes sense, specially if he can help bring business to Pakistan, by the Pakistani's living abroad. You don't call a plumber to do electricians work.
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Nov 16, 2018 10:10pm
I live in the UK and had never heard of this man who claims to be so well connected, until I heard his name on the Pakistani media.
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Nov 16, 2018 10:16pm
"Bukhari's counsel Aitzaz Ahsan" What an irony here. PPP presenting PTI
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Nov 16, 2018 10:32pm
I’m surprised at how some people here feel fine about Bukhari’s appointment. Had this been done by PPP or PMLN, these same people would have gone all out with accusations of all kind.
This Naya Pakistan is more about double standards, misquoting facts, tall claims, nepotism and blatant lies than anything.
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Nov 17, 2018 12:02am
Zulfi Bukhari is a worthless and a corrupt man. But the question is why he is too close to Imran Khan? Nepotism and Favoritism?
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Nov 17, 2018 05:21am
@Jo, he may be quaified, but as a friend he should be excluded from being given a job, since he is a dual citizen.
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Nov 17, 2018 05:24am
@Sid, he is affiliated with the rising sun, he wants to make money. PPP yesterday, PTI today.
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Nov 17, 2018 03:39pm
@taimoor sultan, so what's the point of merit if you appoint your buddies! Such methods of appointments lead to lead agreeing everything the top guy says. There's no room for disagreement as your job will go as well as friendship!
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Nov 17, 2018 03:41pm
@Shahidam, well said
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