Tarar woos expats to rally behind ‘national interests’

Law minister says proposals being mulled over for giving them voting rights

ISLAMABAD:

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has stressed upon the overseas Pakistanis that “national interests” should be accorded priority over political affiliations.

The minister was talking to the Pakistani community members and other notables from different political parties at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC.

Pakistan Ambassador to the US Masood Khan and community leader Sajid Tarar were also present on the occasion, a statement issued on Saturday said.

The law minister said the overseas Pakistanis were the country’s precious asset who had not only enhanced the country’s prestige abroad but also always responded in difficult times.

Tarar said that regrettably, certain elements with vested interests had launched an absurd propaganda abroad about Pakistan and the government to create fissures within the overseas Pakistanis community. He added that these elements were instigating the overseas Pakistanis to approach the foreign governments and legislators against their motherland.

“The overseas Pakistanis have been our identity with whom we enjoy everlasting relations. They are the real identity of Pakistan. So it is our collective responsibility to keep the country’s esteem high,” the statement quoted the minister as saying.

The law minister said that the prime minister and the members of his cabinet shared common sentiments for the overseas Pakistanis and acknowledged their services.

The minister recognised that it was a right of the overseas Pakistanis to take part in the political process, but cautioned that any hasty steps in this regard could be harmful for the democracy and the democratic process.

He said that different proposals were being mulled for giving overseas Pakistanis the right to vote; adding that the consensus among all the political parties in this regard would be helpful in formulating a better strategy.

During his visit, the minister also held separate meetings with the members of Congress, officials of the State Department and US media representatives.