Second economist resigns from Pakistan's advisory council following the dismissal of an Ahmadiya colleague

ISLAMABAD – A second economist resigned on Saturday from Prime Minister Imran Khan's Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to protest the withdrawal of famed academic Atif Mian because of his Ahmadiyya faith.

"With a heavy heart, I resigned from EAC this morning," said Dr. Imran Rasul, professor of economics at University College London, in a tweet.

"I wish the government and the EAC good luck in their future work and remain willing to offer non-partisan, evidence-based advice that can help improve economic policy in the country," he said.

His resignation came one day after another EAC member, Dr. Asim Ljaz Khwaja, professor of finance and international development at Harvard Kennedy School, resigned a few hours after the Pakistani Tehreek government -e-Insaf Friday, Geo News reported.

Dr. Atif Mian, a professor at Princeton University and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy, was named a member of the commission last week and said he was resigning because the government was facing pressure from the part of the religious parties.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry spoke of Dr. Atif Mian's withdrawal on Twitter: "The government wants to go ahead with academics and all social groups, and it is inappropriate for the government to go ahead. only one appointment creates an opposite impression. "

Some individuals and groups, including Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, opposed Dr. Atif Mian's appointment to the 18-member EAC to advise the government on economic policy.

A smear campaign in social media has erupted against the appointment of Dr. Atif Mian, and many have called for his dismissal.

On the other hand, a large number of supporters defended his nomination on social media, claiming that his religion should not be taken into account in their professional qualifications or their job.