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On dual nationality (II)
The sorry saga of dual nationality is just an attempt to undermine the supremacy of parliament.
ISLAMABAD: I appreciate the efforts of the PPP government for coming up with the proposed dual national bill in order to make lawmakers, who hold dual nationality, eligible to participate in elections. The sorry saga of dual nationality is just an attempt to undermine the supremacy of parliament. The case of dual nationality held by parliamentarians is a confusing one because on one hand, dual nationals have been given the right to vote in elections, while on the other hand, they have no right to contest them. This is an ironic situation indeed.
Even well-established democracies of the world have no issue with public office-holders who are dual nationals. Arnold Schwarznegger retained his Austrian citizenship during his service as the governor of California. Former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner was a dual citizen born in the UK. Parliament should decide the issue and legislate on it as we have practical examples of established democracies of the world allowing dual nationals the right to sit in parliament.
Dr Saifur Rehman,
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2012.
Reader Comments (9)
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The author has defended his point by giving examples from established democracies. As far as dual nationality of Arnold Schwarznegger is concerned the following lines will explain certain things.
In 2005, Peter Pilz, an Austrian politician, demanded that parliament revoke schwarznegger,s Austrian citizenship. The demand was based on article 33 of the Austrian Citizenship Act that states; ” A citizen, who is in the public service of a foreign country, shall be deprived of his citizenship, if he heavily damages the reputation or the interest of the Austrian republic.”
Pilz claimed that scharznegger,s action in support of death penalty had done damage to Austria,s reputation. Schwarznegger, showing his loyalties to the Californian legal system, explained that his only duty as governor of California was to defend it,s legal system.
As far as John Turner,s case is concerned, Canada, in any case is a British dominion.
Moreover lets not get into theories, practically speaking, why our politicians need other nationalities is any body,s guess.
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There are so many who will fervently agree to the views of the writer. And the example the writer has given are nice ones. But perhaps it’s because of people like the writer that we are one of the most corrupt Nation in the world . Economies like Britain and swiss thrive on our dual national office holders. It’s such a pitty that any educated person who can write so well has such views. There is no hope until and unless the educated class realise the true essence of the evils of dual nationality.
1.2 million Pakistani expats are holding hostage to 180 million peoples. Do the maths, it’s not fair.
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It’s a pitty to find such views.
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the funniest part is that dual nationals from 16 countries will be allowed to hold office according to this bill, where as the majority remittances come from the Pakistani overseas from the Gulf countries…
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i cantunderstand why these political terriorists need dual nationality pak is enough for them to make all that illegal acts that they cant do in other contries keep it up Recommend
@Umer chishty:
“1.2 million Pakistani expats are holding hostage to 180 million peoples” holding hostage??? you are off the chart man.
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Salams brothers and sisters. I my self had lived 75% of my life abroad.
I salute ppp govt and allies for creating a rift between expatriates and locals.
Most of the expatriates live in gulf region. Where they don’t get nationalities.
They only hold Pakistani nationality. And there individuals are called over seas
Pakistanis. And they are the biggest contributors to monthly flow of dollars to their
Motherland. They are not as rich as over politicians. And main reason for
These people to send money to Pakistan is that they are not rich and they have
Have their families back home who use this money to live a normal life.
These people have the right to vote and be in politics as they only hold
Pakistan nationality. And they don’t need changes in law.
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I think if you are sincer to your country and want to serve the nation by holding a public service office then you don’t need nationality of an other country be simple Pakistani and serve the nation. The only reason of having an other nationality is that you can escape after completing your tenure in public office and no one can catch you of your corruption and wrong doings. Does it look nice?
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Why is Dr Saif relying upon false precedent. Arnold’s Austrian citizenship was revoked by Austria on Peter Pilz moving the Austrian parliament. Remember when you take the US Oath of Citizenship you in fact renounce your loyalty to your former country. After the VietNam war this oath even makes it obligatory to raise arms against any state against which US is at war, or perform non-combat services such as espionage. In any case any Pakistani who has taken an oath to pledge undivided loyalty to USA, must do so. Pakistan has suffered enough at the hands of such men in the past. It has suffered enough and should never allow such men who have renounced loyalty to Pakistan to occupy any public office, otherwise they will end up doing what Hussain Haqqani did. Altaf Hussain is a British national, who does even hold a Pakistani passport.
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