Firdous Ashiq Awan congratulates Asim Bajwa, Shibli Faraz on appointments

ISLAMABAD: Former special assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on information, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has congratulated Senator Shibli Faraz and Asim Saleem Bajwa over their appointments on the key positions of the information ministry.

On a social media website Twitter, Awan thanked PM Imran Khan for trusting her, saying it was his prerogative to decide which member of his team will serve on what position. “I respect his decision,” Awan added.

وزیراعظم ⁦@ImranKhanPTI⁩ کا شکریہ۔انہوں نے مجھ پر اعتماد کیا۔1 سال کے عرصے میں اپنی بھرپور صلاحیتوں سے فرائض  سر انجام دینے کی کوشش کی۔ PM کا استحقاق ہے کہ ٹیم کے کس کھلاڑی کو کونسے بیٹنگ آرڈر یا کونسی فیلڈ پوزیشن پر کھلانا ہے۔میں ان کے فیصلے کا احترام کرتی ہوں۔

— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) April 27, 2020

The former SAPM also refuted news reports aired by some TV channels claiming she was removed from her office due to alleged corruption, terming them “concocted” and “baseless”.

“As a political worker, my objective is the country’s progress and the welfare of the people, which will continue under the PM’s leadership,” Awan wrote, congratulating Faraz and Bajwa on their appointments.

وزارت سے ہٹائےجانےکےحوالےسےمیڈیاپرچلنےوالی من گھڑت خبروں میں لگائےگئےبےبنیادالزامات کی سختی سےتردیدکرتی ہوں۔سیاسی کارکن کی حیثیت سےمیرانصب العین ملک کی ترقی اورعوام کی فلاح ہے۔جوPMکی قیادت میں جاری رکھاجائےگا۔@shiblifaraz⁩اور ⁦@AsimSBajwa⁩کودلی مبارکباداور
نیک تمنائیں

— Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousAwan) April 27, 2020

Earlier, Senator Shibli Faraz was appointed as the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting while Chairperson CPEC Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa was appointed as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting in place of Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan. 

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, “The prime minister … has been pleased to appoint Lt Gen (Rtd) Asim Saleem Bajwa as special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcasting, in [an] honorary capacity, with immediate effect.” 

A second notification read: “The prime minister has been pleased to remove Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan from the office of special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcasting, with immediate effect.”

The reason for the changes announced was not immediately clear. It also remains unclear if Awan will be assigned another portfolio.