PML-N in a fix over nationality amendment
The main opposition party could support an amendment bill in the National Assembly that seeks to lift restrictions on lawmakers with dual nationalities – but with strings attached, sources told The Express Tribune.
The issue of lawmakers’ dual nationality – the latest bone of contention between parliament and the Supreme Court – has not only created unrest among the treasury benches, but in the opposition as well, forcing the two to work together to resolve the issue.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a petition which seeks to disqualify those lawmakers who hold dual nationalities. The apex court has so far suspended the membership of former interior minister Rehman Malik, and PPP’s Farahnaz Isphahani and Chaudhry Zahid Iqbal.
According to sources, PPP’s chief whip Syed Khurshid Shah approached the senior leadership of the PML-N to seek their support for moving the amendment, which could accommodate lawmakers currently facing trial over their dual nationalities.
The sources said that, in the first meeting, the PML-N refused to support such a move. However, following the second meeting, it decided to link its support for the bill with negotiations for a larger package that would include issues such as the appointment of the chief election commissioner, appointment of care-taker setups in the centre as well as in the provinces.
When contacted, PML-N’s Central Joint Secretary Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan told The Express Tribune that the time to make long lasting amendments in the Constitution has passed. He added that, if the government moves a bill alone, the PML-N would definitely oppose it.
PML-N’s dual nationals
According to sources in the PML-N, the party is reluctant to support the bill since it believes that it would be seen as a hurdle in the way of the implementation of rule of law by the Supreme Court. On the other hand, not supporting the bill would create problems within the party, too.
According to sources, the PML-N has around 28 MPAs and 23 MNAs who hold dual nationalities. However, only a few have been summoned by the court.
The dual national lawmakers are said to have approached Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to convey fears of being disqualified and were assured that their reservations would be conveyed to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. Sources said some party members also met Nawaz, who advised those whose names have surfaced to contest their cases before court, while those whose names have not been disclosed to remain quiet till further directions.
Amendment
Sources in the PPP said that the party, with the support of its allies, has prepared a draft of the proposed amendment in the Constitution to protect dual nationality holders.
According to details, the draft has been sent to PML-N’s senior lawmakers. An amendment has been proposed in Article 63(1)(C), which says that a person shall be disqualified from holding membership of parliament, if “he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan, or acquires the citizenship of a foreign State”.
On the other hand, the PML-N’s think tanks are contemplating whether or not to oppose the bill, since it may face a backlash from overseas Pakistanis.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2012.
COMMENTS (26)
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How can any citizen of any country with 'divided loyalty' become a lawmaker in that country. 100% loyalpty to one's country must be a pre-requisite to become a member of any elected body-Central or Provincial-and this pre-requisite should never be diluted!
This is American Nationality Oath Text, which clearly states that they RENOUNCE Pakistani nationality-- “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.”[
Dual nationality means conflict of interest and is practically being use for LOOT AND RUN or KILL AND RUN strategy. So it must be banned if we want to progress.
@Naveed Javed: for you kind info HH was NOT elected. He was appointed like Rehman Malik and Wajid Shamsul Hasan. Both HH and Wajid Shamsul Hasan refused to appear in front of our court just by taking advantage of dual nationality.
PML-N is not interested in this amendment. They have no problems with the PCO SC judges. The SC is busy waging jihad against the PPP elected members and it has no time to pay attention to the dozens of dual nationality members of PML-N. They were swift against HH's family and Malik, now they would slow down and take up other cases against the govt. Make no mistake about it, the PCO SC is a prosecutor against the govt not PML-N
It is shocking to read these comments which are so full of hate for Pakistanis who have foreign nationalities. The hate mongers should know that Pakistan cannot function and survive with out remittences sent by them and the investments which they inject in Pakistani economy. Shame on all of you for being jealous of and ungrateful to your brethren. No wonder you are in such trouble for your hypocrtical ways. God bless you
If rationality and sanity prevails and emotionalism is set aside, there is no harm to go for dual nationals to serve the mother land. We always behave emotionally and repent later on. Pakistanis living abraod are as loyal to mothrland as living in Pakistan.
@Vortex ALtaf Hussain has thousands of supporters here; so does HH- If people elect them who are you or me to go against people's will. Its a free world, live and let others live! Simple
They will do anything even if it is unprincipled and the Constitution has to be ammended, as long it relates to their self interest.
I don't see the point why PML-N should support the amendment.
As per report it might have over members with dual nationality but then again the Supreme Court has not suspended any of them. It is focused on PPP dual nationals as usual while conveniently forgetting the PML-N and MQM ones including the governor of Sindh.
PML-N always remain in a fix on all important issues and this time it will too.
A law is a law. violation of the law calls for disqualification and punishment. period
Sharif Court of Pakistan is not interested in the PMLN dual nationals so they shouldn't worry too much about opposing the amendment.
And @ DevilHunterX: Get your facts right. We send money to our families, they spend that money after converting pounds, dollars, euros to rupees in the PAKISTANI economy thus providing vital foreign exchange to the broader economy. Think before your malign our loyalty.
@ Naveed you find nothing wrong in Altaf bhai, Hussain Haqqani, shaukat aziz and many others....
PMLN and PPP are one and the same thing!!!!
Overseas Pakistanis with dual nationality have roots in the motherland and love for Pakistan. They have greater exposure to the world as well as significant experience which must be utilized for the benefit of Pakistan. Excluding them from the political process will be great loss of valuable resources for Pakistan. Those who preach exclusion are either naive or have no understanding of what is best for the country
So what's wrong in lawmakers having dual nationality?
Fact: Dual nationals don't send money to Pakistan, they send money to their FAMILIES.
Now that fact is out of the way, this amendment only proves the point that all PPP are traitors and should be tried for destroying Pakistan
PML(N) shuold say a BIG NO to this amendment oterwise the impression that they are B Team of PPP will be strengthened to new levels
The will certainly be partners, when it comes to personal intersts. Biggest example is the raise in their remuneration, where they took just a few minutes to unanimously adopt a bill.
If PML(N) supports Dual Nationality it would get a backlash from its constituency which is against such people with split loyalties to hold any public office.
It's a pity that our country is amidst crisis and these people are only thinking about themselves.
PMLN and PPP can't live without each other.
It will be a treachery on part of PML (N) on any other party to support bill for dual nationality for law makers. If dual nationals are so keen to serve Pakistan then why don’t they give up their foreign nationalities?
They all live overseas and have their assets there and on that basis they got foreign nationalities. What interest they have in Pakistan except to get their share of loot and then return to their chosen land.