PML-N calls for expats’ reserved parliament seats

Shehbaz Sharif emphasises expats should come to Pakistan to cast vote

ISLAMABAD:

National Assembly Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif has pitched a new formula for representation of overseas Pakistanis in parliament, emphasising that expatriates should come to the country to cast their votes at the time of elections.

In an official statement, Shehbaz has proposed that reserved seats should be allocated in the National Assembly and the Senate for overseas Pakistanis as this way “the representatives of Pakistanis living abroad would be able to raise issues being faced by expats in both houses of parliament”.

Shehbaz, who is also the PML-N president, proposed to allocate five to seven seats in the National Assembly and two seats in the Senate to expats. “This method can ensure a secure representation of Pakistanis living abroad in parliament,” he added.

According to the opposition leader, the modalities and conditions of representation on these seats should be decided by all political parties in parliament. “The required legislation can be enacted by consensus of political parties.”

The opposition leader issued the official statement at a time when the PTI-led federal government is pushing for electoral reforms, especially, giving right to vote to the expats and holding the next general election through the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Apparently, the PTI government is in favour of allowing overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes via the internet and postal balloting. However, Shehbaz proposed that the expats should come to the country at the time of elections and cast their votes according to the registration of their votes in the voters list.

Read more: Govt likely to unveil EVM prototype on Aug 14

The PML-N president recalled that reserved seats were also allotted in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to overseas Pakistanis. “The PML-N supports the right to vote for expats keeping in line with democratic thinking and principles,” he maintained.

Calling expats the pride of Pakistan, Shehbaz said roughly eight million Pakistanis living abroad are the country's strength and are contributing to the development of the homeland.

“We value the unwavering love and efforts of Pakistanis living abroad,” he said. “We want an immediate, fair and just solution to all the problems being faced by the overseas community in Pakistan.”

He said resolving all issues of expats as well as promotion and protection of their capital is the top priority of his party. “[The PML-N] respects expats’ right to vote.”

Shehbaz said the PML-N has always encouraged and valued overseas Pakistanis and during the PML-N’s rule, concrete reforms were made in the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation.

An Overseas Commission was set up in Punjab, through which role model programmes were rolled out in 36 districts. “The purpose of these measures was to ensure immediate resolution of the problems of overseas Pakistanis and to ensure their assistance,” he said.

Shehbaz said the PML-N would play its full role in giving the right to representation to the overseas Pakistanis. “We will never disappoint our Pakistani brothers and sisters living abroad.”