Dual identity?

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Possessing dual citizenship in Pakistan is considered a pride, and a symbol of affluence. At the same time overseas Pakistanis, who constitute a chunk of around 10 million, ensure that their heart beats for their motherland and are seen at the vanguard in thick and thin. But the problem erupts with a legislation that bars public office holders, especially parliamentarians, personnel of armed forces, civil and judicial bureaucracy, from having a second nationality. But to the amazement of many, a standing committee of the National Assembly was informed on Monday that over 22,000 bureaucrats in Pakistan have held dual nationality, leaving the domain open for suspicion as to how many in office are wearing two flags. It is a common belief that people holding a foreign nationality can be a threat to national security.

It is no surprise that laws are twisted for those at the helm of affairs. Likewise, there are countless instances when dual citizens in the corridors of power were ignored, and spared even after being put in the dock. Of late, a retired personal holding a second nationality was facilitated with Pakistani citizenship to reign supreme in his new office, and a law is in the works to make it a new normal. This is where unrest evolves as the demand for barring people from dual nationality, at least when they are in government service, makes sense. It is morally and politically correct to call for stringent measures to restrict the practice of holding dual identity, especially for bureaucrats, judges and members of the parliament, and there should be no discrimination.

It's time to build a consensus on national identity and to take pride in it. India and China do not allow dual citizenship even for their commoners, and likewise a US national loses his citizenship if he opts for another green pasture. What is desired is to empower the overseas Pakistanis by granting them the right to vote and make them part and parcel of national development. Lawfully barring electables and bureaucrats from being dual nationals is a must.