Bill in NA seeks dual nationals out of superior judiciary

The opposition Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) submitted two bills to the National Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday, proposing repeal of the Contempt of Court Ordinance and preventing dual nationals from becoming a judge of Supreme Court and high courts.

Through a constitutional bill, JUI-F’s Noor Alam Khan sought amendments to Article 177, 193 and 208 of the Constitution, pertaining to the eligibility for the posts of judges to the superior judiciary. Through another bill, the lawmaker proposed the repeal of the Contempt of Court Ordinance.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill, submitted as a private member’s bill proposed amendments to Articles 177, to bar a dual national or anyone holding foreign citizenship from becoming judge of the Supreme Court.

Similarly, it sought amendment to Article 193 to bar a person from becoming a high court judge if he held dual citizenship or citizenship of another country. It also proposed amendment to Article 208 prevent dual nationals from becoming employees of the courts.

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The aims and objectives of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2024 stated that the judges of the Supreme Court and the high court should have an interest in this country, adding that a judge holding dual citizenships put the interests of their country at stake.

Khan also submitted another bill regarding repeal of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, terming it inconsistent with the Constitution. The aims and objectives of the bill stated that the ordinance failed to achieve its objective; therefore, it should be repealed until an alternative bill was enacted.