ISLAMABAD:
The fate of a proposed dual nationality law, which requires an amendment to the Constitution, hangs in the balance as a key ally in the ruling coalition has refused to support the new legislation.
Support from the Awami National Party (ANP), an important ally of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is crucial for amending the Constitution, which requires two-third votes in both houses of parliament.
The ANP has proposed some changes in the draft bill which, if incorporated, will change the nomenclature of the proposed amendment, which the government wants to introduce as the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution during the ongoing session of the National Assembly.
Senator Haji Adeel, who is part of the ANP team that has been holding negotiations with the government, told The Express Tribune that his party has proposed amendments to be incorporated in the bill.
The ANP believes that a dual national cannot hold any important public office, including the offices of the president and prime minister, key posts in the military, judiciary, bureaucracy and other sensitive departments.
“We want an amendment to the bill barring dual nationals from holding important offices. We also want it to be applicable to top civil bureaucrats of grade 21 and 22,” he added.
If the government wants to give overseas Pakistanis an opportunity to take part in the elections, then the amendment should make it clear that either before taking part in the polls or immediately after getting elected they would have to renounce their second nationality.
The Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which is the main mover of this bill, is pressing the government on the amendment, while the ANP and PML-Functional are opposing it.
Already short of numbers, the government is also facing stiff resistance from the PML-N and its ally PML-likeminded group.
Sources said the already fractured PML-Q also fears defections on this issue.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated "grade 21 and 21" instead of "grade 21 and 22". A correction has been made.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2012.
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It is hilarious that this law was promulgated by a dictator whose own Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was a dual nationality holder and where is written in constitution of Pakistan that a dual nationality holder can not be MNA... Which law said that a dual citizen cannot be a MNA? Pakistan changed its citizenship act retroactively in 2002 to allow dual citizenship of 16 countries including USA. Which law did the PCO judges use? No law at all. The as usual took over the function of the legislature and created a new Law for the land of the Pure. Judicial activism is just directed to target PPP parliamentarians and members. If Supreme Court passes ruling against dual nationality it should also pass a ruling according to which No MNA, or MPA can send his/ her family abroad either for education or settlement but court will never do because their own families are living abroad and their children are studying in foreign institutions..
Wondering why there is so much fuss over dual nationality issue. There are about 89 countries in the world that does not bar holding dual nationality so there is no harm in double-nationality. It is unfortunate that legislatures are always subjected to accountability in one or the other case and other pillars of state always try to tight noose around the elected members. There are several top military officials and judges that enjoy dual nationality but no finger is pointed towards them. They are free to do whatever they want. But, lamentably everyone holds responsible just politicians not ” Deep State” and ” Honest” judges who are more politicians than those who are in politics in guise of their respective positions. Second, ECP must ponder on facilitating local voters who are living far off from poling stations. For this purpose, ECP must launch mobile poling stations instead of facilitating those left the country in lurch. Moreover,” Indigenous Voters” are inexpensive as compared to expatriates for whom ECP shall have to bear heavy expenditures.
DO not allow duel nationality person to hold any Ministry , nor any Gov. post . they can become member of the house only by fair election . Keep it up A N P don t change the stand .
By the way an MNA of PML(Q) had placed a bill on dual nationality in National Assembly who became a minister later and so the bill became infractious. I am not sure if this is to jack up the price or ANP really mean it. Ghulam Ahmad Bilour as Cabinet Minister has already endorsed the bill. isn't politics a strange thing ?
finally a good thing from ANP.
The MQM who initiated this...... stand exposed.
ANP zindabad!
What a useless issue this is. People are dying in blasts/target killings by hundreds; load shedding has crippled the economy; elections are approaching. It’s like US congress discussing gay rights during Second World War
Its a slap on the faces of those who tag members of ANP as traitors.
ANP learning from Mulana Fazul Rahman that how to trade with GOV... anyway it will end with a nice deal with PPP both are in the same plate...
The world is changing and people all over the world have dual nationalities! Lets be realistic and give dual nationals representation they rightly deserve. Bar them from holding public office if you will but this is disenfranchising them.
Why dual nationality should not be allowed: http://www.thepakistaninationalist.blogspot.com/2012/07/dual-nationality-and-conflict-of.html
even though I am staunch opponent of ANP politics but its stand on this issue is appreciated
"We also want it to be applicable to top civil bureaucrats of grade 21 and 21". Shouldn't this be grade 21 and 22?
I salute ANP for their principled stand. They have by this single act proven that they are better than Chaudhries of Gujrat for whom the only principle in life is money and power.
Oppose it!! For God's sake do not change your stance, in so called "national interest" . Dual nationality Pakistanis should not be allowed to hold any important public/govt office.
Finally a ray of hope.they're all the same but still allowing dual nationals in poltics is treachery to Pakistan.
ANP is just creating a fuss on this issue