ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Dr Amna Buttar prayed to the Supreme Court on Saturday that despite her US citizenship, she was loyal towards Pakistan.
Dr Buttar, who is also the sister of the Supreme Court’s recently retired judge Justice Javed Buttar, asked the court to dismiss the petitions that questioned her loyalty towards her motherland-Pakistan.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, recently suspended Dr Buttar’s Punjab Assembly membership for holding American citizenship. Dr Buttar, in response, submitted a concise statement to defend her loyalty towards Pakistan. She also submitted her detailed CV, achievements and her voice against drone attacks in Pakistan.
Dr Buttar also highlighted her family’s political struggle and role in the struggle for the independence of judiciary in Pakistan. She said that being a student of medical sciences, she obtained the US citizenship in 1992 but she is a Pakistani national by birth.
She further told the court that being the founder of Asian American Network Against Abuse, she led protests against General Pervez Musharraf in New York City and Washington DC subsequently. She and her family in Pakistan were harassed and threatened by military establishment through Brigadier Ijaz Shah, Dr Buttar added.
Dr Buttar, in her concise statement, stated that Brigadier Shah personally met her in 2005 and made a direct death threat to her. But, she said, these tactics and harassment only strengthened her resolve to continue being the voice for the oppressed in Pakistan. Dr Buttar also told the court that in April 2007, she participated in the lawyers rally in Islamabad and was targeted and brutally assaulted by the Elite Police inside the premises of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
She said that her name was highlighted in the list of dual nationality holders with prejudice to target her. She told the court that she has not violated the Section 14 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, and Article 63(1)(c) is not applicable at this stage because no objections were raised at the stage of scrutiny of nomination papers and her election was never challenged before any election tribunal.
Although, the Supreme Court seeks proper arrangements for overseas Pakistanis to vote in general elections, this week it made it clear that it would not allow dual nationals to be a part of the assemblies citing constitutional restraints.
Senator Wasim Sajjad, the counsel for MNA Farah Naz Ispahani (who holds citizenship of both Pakistan and the US) told the bench that it was unrealistic to question someone’s loyalty on the basis of nationalities they held and to suspend their assembly membership.
The court has suspended memberships of Ispahani and then federal interior minister Rehman Malik for holding the US and UK nationalities respectively. Ispahani’s lawyer asked the court to refer this matter to the parliament or interpret the Constitution in the supreme national interest.
The court will take up the issue on June 25.
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Who is loyal to this land and who is not, no one knows. A person having dual nationality might be much more loyal to this land compared to a single nationality holder. Single nationality is not a guarantee of loyalty; similarly a dual nationality does not mean treachery or disloyalty. We are not only irrational but nincompoop. If loyalty is the benchmark then I ask the people arguing against loyalty of dual nationals, what of those Pakistanis who willingly and in their good conscience conspire against or attack its armed forces? Should we draw a list of these people and withdraw their right to vote? Would you allow the state to bar Baluchis fighting for their rights from contesting elections simply because they are perceived as a threat? Where do we draw the line Sir? Taliban or terrorists involved in anti-state activities are they loyal to the state simply because they live here? This is not a sound argument, particularly in our case, a Country plagued with terrorism, no security to life or property, corruption, lack of opportunities, where parents were forced to send their children to foreign countries so they could be secure. Change the constitution if necessary, nobody has the right to challenge loyalty of those who wish to serve their people.I remember the example of Muhamad Sacirbey, Bosnian holding American citizenship represented his native country as their UN Representative in extremely difficult times and then went on to become their Foreign Minister
@SHAHID:
"Dr. Amna Buttar, I am US Citizen and cannot accept your statement which is now published and in the press as documented. You cannot say, do, act or execute loyalty other thanto the USofA. .... But, never forget that “if” you are a US Citizen, you can be pulled up and be answerable, accountable and punishable under US Law for some of the words you spoke pleasing your own ego. You have had good life on Terrace Ave, Madison, and then Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is better you ZIP your mouth before it bites you."
I guess a phone call to Homeland Security Office would solve this issue for ever.
This is historic decision but I have a simple question, does foreign citizen has right to operate as leader of party in Pakistan from abroad? Why SC is silent on Altaf Bhai. Hasnt he got British Nationality and he being a British Citizen handling party from London, where does his interest then belong to... Pakistan or his allegiance with UK? SC should also take NOTICE of this instead of taking one single party.
@Mirza:
Below is "US Oath of Allegiance" that must be taken by all to become a US citizen (which you also took for becoming US citizen and as a result you solemnly renounced the Pakistani citizenship). Please stop misleading the less informed Pakistanis with your false rhetoric.
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic...."
@Abdul Rahman Khan: I'm sorry but your'e misinformed. In the U.S, one doesn't take oath by putting their hand on their holy book. Please know what your'e saying bigger you spread false information to mislead others.
Its perfectly fine to have dual nationality if one does not run for government office. If the lady is so loyal to Pakistan and still wants to keep her seat, then she can give up her foreign citizenship. Simple as that. Law should be equally applied to all.
One can imagine that it is difficult for someone who has lived in one country most of their life to comprehend and assimilate, why anyone would want Dual Nationality? Because, dual nationality/citizenship, could without hesitation, imply dual loyalties and that is what gives rise to the very uncomfortable question:
How on Gods earth , a person could be loyal to two countries, particularly if one has political rights or works in government jobs?
There are some governments,who feel it isn’t…India for example. It had mulled over giving dual citizenship to its citizens but finally decided not to...
@Mirza: Then ,why doesn't she only confine herself to that noble profession of being a messiah (doctor) and treating people across the globe ?. It is a full time job being a doctor of medicine and holding alongside public office could prove a huge distraction to her noble cause!
Pretty simple she can give up her US nationality, or follow the laws of Pakistan, what is wrong with these people they dont like to follow any laws
@Mirza. The foreign nationals who adopt foreign countries nationalities including U.S., U.K. Canada etc. etc. take oath of holy books of their respective religions including holy quran, bible, torah, gita etc. etc.
I would like to meet the government official who responds to those allegations with "you're right, you got me, I'm not loyal to Pakistan."
abolish dual nationality... problem solved !
Dr. Amna Buttar, I am US Citizen and cannot accept your statement which is now published and in the press as documented. You cannot say, do, act or execute loyalty other thanto the USofA. Under oath and allegience to US Constitution you are legally obligated to save and protect the constitution of the USA. Anything other than this, and your statements amount to treason and can be tried in US Court for treason. Loyalty cannot be compromised. As far as you being of Pakistani Origin, and hold Pakistan passport, and that Pakistan has no objection to your loyalty to USA, your sentiments, love and memories may be with Pakistan, and it cannot be possibly diminished. But, never forget that "if" you are a US Citizen, you can be pulled up and be answerable, accountable and punishable under US Law for some of the words you spoke pleasing your own ego. You have had good life on Terrace Ave, Madison, and then Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is better you ZIP your mouth before it bites you.
Take India as an example it does not permit dual nationality holding and nor gives them the right to vote.let alone ,allow them to hold higher or even lower level public positions in India...
In spite of the fact their expatriates out number that of Pakistanis overseas by huge strength abroad...
Do,you believe that this has in any way stopped their expats from sending in remittances back home or lowered their patriotism and loyalty etc in anyway ?.No,they have the best loyal lobbyist representing them there abroad and they are more generous in donating towards social,aid and assistance activities!
@ishrat salim: The Chief Justice SCP recent remarks,during a hearing pertaining to same issue before him that "for 10--15 people, the law of the country cannot be changed" were absolutely logically,apt.
@Mirza: Is holding a public office of higher position the only way to help or serve your country and not not otherwise ?... There could to at the most 10-15 dual nationality holders who make it to the power corridor,out of possibly thousands of Pakistanis abroad holding dual nationality status.I bet you neither one of those who hold higher level Public offices in the native country,could have ever remit a single penny to Pakistan in the form of aid or assitance !
Amna you struggled against the dictatorship and stood for the independence of judiciary is great but how would these judges appreciate that when they were working under PCO and endorsed the acts of high treason by Gen Mush? The Chief has already made his mind and his decision is pronounced "he is not going to have a dual national serve the country". You can send as much money to Pakistan as you can, aid in case of crisis, work as a doctor but no rights of a born Pakistani citizen. The Chief makes the laws and policies and he has spoken.
Whom she is kidding: Pakistan or US? Here is the oath she took to become an American citizen:
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God".
They take dual nationalities so they can loot pakistan while in politics n then once retired they move to USA... With there bank balances!!!
@Naumann Malik: You wrote "taken an oath on the Holy Quran in 1992, to defend the American borders against internal and external threats, please explain, how can she be loyal to Pakistan" This is height of political spin and nobody objects to your statement. Who takes oath of citizenship on holy Quran in the US or in any other Western country? One can understand the hatred and political opposition but this kind of misinformation is not going to help. Only in our country the land of pure, where the army officers and judges take the oath to defend the constitution and at first opportunity they mutilate it and commit acts of high treason which is a norm not exception. Let us not concoct the stories that Amana is going to fight for one country against another. She is a doctor and can treat the people of both the countries with equal zeal and love. Regards, Mirza
She received death threats and stood up to dictatorship. People should cut her some slack.
I have been recently told that even Imran Khan has UK nationality because of his ex-wife. Is that true?
Instead of being sitting behind the bars for perjury, look at the wiles of the lady. She committed the crime and deserves due punishment. Suspending the membership is again tantamount to condoning the offence. Deterrent punishments are needed to withhold people from violating the law and constitution. She is caught lying and she didn't reveal it voluntarily.
If the US citizenship is so useless for you now, why dont you give it up for the love of your motherland.
So we are governed by foreigners still!