Dr Zafar Mirza resigns as special assistant to prime minister on Health

ISLAMABAD: Dr Zafar Mirza has resigned from his post as the special assistant to the prime minister (SAPM) on Health due to the ongoing negative discussion about the role of special assistants.

On a social media website Twitter, Mirza said he left the World Health Organisation (WHO) and came to Pakistan on a personal invitation from the prime minister. He said he is satisfied that he is leaving at a time when Covid-19 has declined in the country.

He further said, “It was a privilege to serve Pakistan. I am satisfied that I leave at a time when COVID-19 has declined in Flag of Pakistan as a result of a grand national effort”.

<352> I have resigned as SAPM. I came to ???????? on a personal invitation of @ImranKhanPTI leaving WHO. I worked hard & honestly. It was a privilege to serve Pakistan. I am satisfied that I leave at a time when COVID-19 has declined in ???????? as a result of a grand national effort.

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) July 29, 2020

“I worked hard and honestly. It was a privilege to serve Pakistan,” he wrote, adding that Pakistanis deserve a better healthcare system.

Due to ongoing negative discussion about the role of SAPMs & criticism on the gov, I choose to resign. Pakistani people deserve a better health care. I have worked sincerely to contribute to this cause. ???????? will Inshallah emerge out of COVID-19 with a stronger hlth care system.

— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) July 29, 2020

It is worth mentioning here that the apex court, while hearing a suo motu case on April 13 related to the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, had expressed displeasure over the performance of Dr Zafar Mirza.

Later, Prime Minister Imran Khan had chided his special assistant on health, Dr Zafar Mirza, over exhibiting unserious behavior before the Supreme Court (SC).

Prime Minister Imran Khan had also ordered an inquiry against Zafar Mirza over a hike in medicine prices.

Earlier,  the NAB’s Executive Board Meeting (EBM) also approved to look into corruption complaints against Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza.