Asim Bajwa to resign after rebutting ‘baseless allegations’ on assets

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa on Thursday night announced he would resign from the post, after recent allegations against him surfaced in a news story by journalist Ahmad Noorani that concerned his alleged business empire.

In an interview with Geo News’ programme Aj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Sath, Bajwa said that he had decided to resign as the prime minister’s aide after consulting his family members. He, however, clarified that it was due to him wanting to give more time and energy to his post as chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) post.

Lt Gen Bajwa said that the premier’s priority is CPEC “and I believe as well that this project is the country’s future”.

“I hope that the prime minister will allow me to concentrate all my focus on CPEC,” he added.

The announcement comes on the heels of a strong rebuttal to allegations raised against him in news broken on an “unknown website” on August 27 by journalist Ahmed Noorani.

Lt Gen Bajwa on Thursday “vehemently denied as incorrect and false” all allegations.

The four-page rebuttal to the accusations, was posted to Twitter by Lt Gen Bajwa, along with the following statement: “I strongly rebut the baseless allegations levelled against me and my family. Alhamdolillah another attempt to damage our reputation belied/exposed. I have and will always serve Pakistan with pride and dignity.”

I strongly rebut the baseless allegations levelled against me and my family.Alhamdolillah another attempt to damage our reputation belied/exposed.I have and will always serve Pakistan with pride and dignity. pic.twitter.com/j185UoGhx1

— Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimSBajwa) September 3, 2020