LAHORE, (DNA) – The Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down a petition seeking the disqualification of Zulfi Bukhari, the prime minister’s special assistant on overseas Pakistanis and human resource development.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Umar Atta Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan issued the orders on the petition filed by Muhammad Ali Chattah and Mirza Abul Moiz Baig seeking disqualification of the special assistant on the basis of his dual nationality.

During the hearing, Bukhari’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan told the court, “My client is a special adviser to the PM and has not claimed the status of a minister.”

Rejecting the petition, the top court allowed Bukhari to continue his work as the special assistant. He added, “If Bukhari used administrative powers, then we will see the case.”

On September 17, Prime Minister Imran Khan had appointed Bukhari as his special assistant, inviting criticism from the opposition due to his dual nationality.