Khawaja Asif's Iqama issue failure of Pakistan's democracy: Imran

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan lamented on Wednesday that it is a sad reflection on Pakistan's democracy when an elected official and high-profile minister is found to have been employed outside the country. 

In a series of tweets related to Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif's reported Iqama [foreign work permit], Imran first congratulated the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for holding daily hearings of the case. 

The IHC, on Tuesday, had reserved its decision on PTI leader Usman Dar's petition seeking Asif's disqualification for hiding his employment in the nomination papers. Asif has denied the charge. 

The PTI chief claimed it is a clear fact now that Asif, while being the minister of water and power, as well as defence and foreign affairs, was receiving Rs1.6 million monthly salary from a UAE-based company.

Never denied foreign work permit, Asif submits reply in disqualification case

Asif faces disqualification from Parliament over possessing an Iqama — a permit to work in the UAE

Imran claimed that Asif's undisclosed bank accounts were also discovered from where he was allegedly transferring "huge amounts" to his wife's account in New York.

"So he was money laundering from Pakistan as well being guilty of a clear conflict of interest while holding charge of strategic ministries. Shocking how all relevant institutions like NAB, SECP, FBR, FIA, failed to move against him despite facts coming to light 8 mths ago," he wrote in a tweet. 

The PTI chief added that Parliament, "which is supposed to protect the public's interests, also failed to act or even censure him". 

"This has exposed the failure of Pak democracy. Nowhere in the Western world would such crimes be tolerated from a Parliamentarian. Even in India such financial wrongdoings and conflict of interest would not be tolerated. This is indeed a sad reflection on Pakistan's democracy," he concluded.