Dual nationality: SHC moved for disqualifications

Petitioner argues that any citizen who acquires nationality of any other country, ceases to be a Pakistani national.

KARACHI:

Amid the increasing temperature in the political arena, a petition was filed here on Friday before the High Court of Sindh (SHC) seeking the disqualification of members of the Senate and National Assembly besides the provincial assemblies of the four provinces.

The petition was filed by self-styled social worker and a representative for the Pakistan of Human Rights Commission of South Asia based in Stockholm, Sweden, Iqbal Kazmi.

He relied on Articles 62 and 63 and section 14 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act of 1951, section 8D of the Conduct of General Elections Order, maintaining that any citizen of Pakistan who acquires the nationality of any other country, ceases to be a Pakistani national.

More than two dozen representatives hold dual nationality. He asked the court to restrain the EC and federal government from holding elections to the Senate scheduled to be held in March.

The petition was listed for hearing on Monday, January 16.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2012.