ISLAMABAD: As a protest against withdrawal of Atif Mian from the economic body, London-based economist Dr Imran Rasul has now become the second member of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to resign.
Earlier, US-based academic Dr Atif Mian was asked to resign from the council due to a controversy pertaining to his Ahmadiyya faith.
Dr Rasul tweeted, “With a heavy heart, I have resigned from the EAC this morning. The circumstances in which Atif was asked to step down are ones I profoundly disagree with. Basing decisions on religious affiliation goes against my principles, or the values I am trying to teach my children.”
He also said, “The establishment of the EAC and its members offered a great opportunity for better economic policy. Events these past 10 days have shown the best and worst of Pakistani politics at the moment. (2/5).”
“Truth be told; if there was one academic on the EAC that Pakistan needs, it was Atif Mian. Resolving the macro and fiscal mess the country is in will lay the bedrock for social protection, poverty alleviation policies and other economic reforms the country also needs. (3/5),” he added.
He explained, “Pakistan is full of talent: I have seen this in the students/academics/NGOs/civil servants I have been lucky to work with. It needs leaders willing to draw on all this talent, and who are willing to appeal to our better sides, for the common good and not sow division. (4/5).”
“I wish the government and EAC luck in their future work and remain willing to offer non-partisan, evidence-based advice that can help improve economic policymaking in the country,” he concluded.
