PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: A summary is likely to be sent to the prime minister on resolving the longstanding issue of over 20,000 overseas Pakistanis in Denmark who seek dual nationality.
The matter has been pending with the federal government for a long time and the delay has created difficulties for the Pakistani community living in the European country.
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Talking to The Express Tribune, Commissioner for Overseas Pakistanis’ Senior Adviser Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmad Khokhar said the development took place after consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the interior ministry and other authorities.
“Soon a summary is going to be moved to the PM for final approval,” he said. “After this approval, Denmark will become the 19th country, whose citizens of Pakistani origin could have a dual nationality,” said Khokhar.
Currently, Pakistan has a treaty of dual nationality with 18 other countries. These include Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Syria, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US.
Sharing the background, he said the federal ombudsman had received numerous complaints from the Pakistanis living in Denmark regarding delay in getting the dual nationality.
“The federal ombudsman took up this issue with the interior ministry so that Pakistanis living in the country may also carry dual nationality,” he added.
Earlier, the top Pakistani envoy in Demark took up the matter with the Danish government to allow dual nationality to members of the Pakistani community.
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The Danish government, after getting approval from its parliament, allowed all Pakistanis having Danish nationality to hold dual nationality. More than 20,000 Pakistanis in Denmark will benefit from the move.
Meanwhile, a press release issued on Wednesday said at least 40 federal government departments have been connected with the website of Overseas Pakistanis for complaint purposes.
“One window desks have also been established on the six International airports of Pakistan to facilitate overseas Pakistanis in the shortest possible time,” it said, adding that the federal
ombudsman was also facilitating the overseas Pakistanis to file complaints through Skype.
It said overseas Pakistanis were also facilitated in issuance of the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop) through the National Database Registration Authority, Issuance of Foreign Exchange Remittance Card (Ferc) and sending of remittance to Pakistan in the easiest way than the hundi system.
“This is the first time that all Pakistani top envoys are now listening to complaints of overseas Pakistanis without any prior appointment,” it said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2016.
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