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
The appointment of Dr Atif R. Mian of Princeton University (Department of Member Economics and Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy) to the 18-member EAC set up to advise the government on economic policy was opposed by some individuals and groups, including Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), who objected to his Ahmadi faith. A social media smear campaign erupted against the economist’s appointment, with many calling for his removal. A large number of detractors, however, showed support for Mian, saying that one’s religion should not factor into their professional qualifications or employment.
From Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam to leading economist Atif Mian, there's a long trail of injustice & heart-rending discrimination that patriotic, contributing citizens- Ahmadis have faced in Pakistan. It will forever render our collective moral compass dysfunctional. — Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi (@Ali_Abbas_Zaidi) September 3, 2018
Anybody objecting to Atif Mian's nomination to the economic advisory committee needs to have their head examined. He is an accomplished professional with impeccable credentials recognised internationally. — Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) September 2, 2018
During a press talk in Islamabad today, Chaudhry asked: “Should there be restrictions imposed on minorities in Pakistan? Should minorities in Pakistan be thrown out?” “What kind of people say things like this?” Chaudhry wondered. “This is a man who the entire world is saying will receive a Nobel Peace Prize in the next five years. He has been appointed to the Economic Advisory Council, not the Council of Islamic Ideology or something else.” “Pakistan belongs as much to minorities as it does to the majority,” he added. “I don’t think anyone should have objections [to Mian’s appointment], and those who do, they are basically extremists and we will not bow to extremists,” he asserted. “Protecting minorities is our responsibility. It is the religious duty of each Muslim, not just the government, to protect minorities and respect those that they live with,” Chaudhry said. He also took to Twitter so share a message: “Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah appointed Sir Zafar Ullah as Foreign minister of Pakistan; we’ll follow [the] principles of Mr Jinnah, not of extremists.”
Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah Appointed Sir ZafarUllah as Foreign minister of Pak, we ll follow Principles of Mr. Jinnah not of extremists https://t.co/wM5cnEl9cc — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) September 4, 2018
His thoughts were echoed by Minister of Human Rights Shireen Mazari, who tweeted: “Exactly. Well put indeed. Time to reclaim space for the Quaid’s Pakistan!”.
Exactly. Well put indeed. Time to reclaim space for the Quaid's Pakistan! https://t.co/DdbeCiewbi — Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) September 4, 2018
A call-to-attention notice had earlier been submitted in Senate today by opposition parties against Atif Mian’s inclusion to the EAC. The notice bore the signatures of the PML-N, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party members. No member of the PPP signed the document, with the party making it clear that it would not be part of a witch-hunt based on someone’s faith. The article originally appeared in Dawn News.