PM Imran satisfied with Asim Bajwa’s explanation, refuses to accept resignation

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday rejected the resignation of Special Assistant on Information Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa, the PM Office said in a statement.

“PM Imran Khan is satisfied with the proof and justification given by Lt Gen (retd) Asim Bajwa, therefore he has directed him to continue working as the special Assistant,” read the statement.

On Thursday the SAPM, in a conversation with Geo News show host Shahzeb Khanzada, said he would hand in his resignation to the prime minister today (Friday) and would request him to relieve him of his duties as his aide.

However, the SAPM had said that he will continue his work as Chairman China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority.

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.

Clarification on family's business interests

Earlier that day, SAPM Bajwa had "vehemently denied” all allegations that were put forward against him and termed it as “incorrect and false".

The four-page rebuttal to the accusations, was posted to Twitter by 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."

The premier's aide said that he has "not shied away to explain the allegations shamelessly levelled" against him. "These allegations have been hurled at me to tarnish my image," he said.

The rebuttal noted that the news has alleged as follows:

- My declaration of assets and liabilities as an SAPM in the federal government dated 22.06.2020 is incorrect because I have failed to disclose the investment of my wife abroad;

- My brothers have conducted businesses in the USA and their growth of business is relatable to my promotion in the Pakistan Army;

- Random mention has been made of companies, businesses and properties, owned by my brothers and children, with sweeping allegations regarding their evaluation and propriety.

"All the adverse insinuations levelled in the news item in question, so also the aspects mentioned in the para 2 above, are materially false," Lt Gen Bajwa said.

He said that the allegation that his declaration of assets and liabilities dated June 22 suffers from omission of the investment of his wife abroad, is "materially false". Lt Gen Bajwa said that when the declaration was filed, his wife was "no longer an investor or shareholder in any business" belonging to his brothers or anyone else abroad.

"My wife had disinvested all her interests as at 01.06.2020 in any entity abroad and such fact has been duly documented in the official records in the USA," he said, adding that the company registered in the SECP in Pakistan was Liaison Office of the companies in the US.

“If one were to look at the actual figures the inescapable conclusion would be that the news item has been spread with a view to malign my reputation," he said.

Lt Gen Bajwa said that between 2002 and 2020 the total out of pocket investment made by his wife in the companies of his brothers in the US has been $19,492.

"This investment was made by my wife through my savings spread over a period of eighteen years, all of which are fully accounted for," he said. He said that Bajco Global Management, LLC has no propriety interests in the UAE and in US pizza chain Papa Johns.

The premier's aide also said that the author has falsely claimed that Bajco owns 99 companies. Referring to his brothers' investments, he said that from 2002 till date, his brothers purchased assets "to the tune of $70 million, out of which around $60 million were through bank loans and financial facilities".

"Over a period of 18 years the actual out of pocket cash investment into the said businesses by my brothers and wife has been about $73,950," he said.

Lt Gen Bajwa said the "total out of pocket cash contribution of my five brothers, over a period of 18 years, has been $54,458" which is "fully accounted for and relatable to their own sources and resources".

The premier's aide said that out of his five brothers, two are qualified doctors; one brother has worked in the US up to the status and position of a Vice President in a US Bank; one brother has worked up to the position of a Controller of a restaurant operating company; and one brother had been an operating partner of a restaurant chain, before the start of their own businesses in 2002.

He said that the question that may be underscored is whether persons in the above positions "would not be able to save $54,458". Lt Gen Bajwa noted that allegations have been made with regard to his children's businesses.

"It has been alleged that one of my sons had owned a company by name of Scion Builders and Estates (Pvt) Ltd, which has been registered in the SECP. It may be stated that this company has never done any business and same is dormant since inception," he said.

Lt Gen Bajwa also noted that it was suggested that the company Himalaya (Pvt.) Ltd was registered by one of his sons in the SECP.

"It may be pointed out that my son owns only 50% of the shares. This is a very small company and in the last three years has made a total cumulative profit of about less than Rs500,000," he said.