ISLAMABAD: Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders and senators Aitzaz Ahsan and Raza Rabbani opposed the dual nationality amendment bill presented in the Senate on Tuesday, Express News reported.
Coalition partner Awami National Party (ANP) and opposition party Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) staged walkouts to protest against the bill.
Speaking during the session, Ahsan said that whenever a person became a United States (US) national, they take an oath which bounds them to be loyal to the country and take part in wars if needed.
He asked why the US was listed among 16 countries Pakistan had an agreement with if it had such clauses in the oath.
Senator Raza Rabbani seconded Ahsan and opposed the bill as well. The two senators also said that the dual nationality bill must be reviewed.
Earlier, Senator Haji Adeel of the Awami National Party (ANP) had moved a privilege motion against the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution regarding the dual nationality bill.
Senator Adeel had argued that a 22nd Amendment could not come into place as there was no 21st Amendment made to the Constitution.
In reply to Adeel’s stance, Law Minister Farooq H Naek had said that the contempt of court bill which was passed in the National Assembly’s Monday session was actually the 21st Amendment. Hence, there was no violation of laws and rules.
Naek had presented the bill before the Senate and it was referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Law and Justice.
The amendment in Article 63 (1) (c) will allow the parliamentarians to hold dual nationalities for 16 countries with which Pakistan is in agreement with.
Agreeing with the ANP senator, PML-N's Zafar Ali Shah had said that previously, none of the civilian, as well as the military governments had not made an amendment to Article 63 (1) (c), however the incumbent government was willing to bring this amendment into place.
Senator Adeel had moved the privilege motion on individual basis.
Speaking to the media after the Senate session, Senator Adeel said that the wordings of the bill presented in the Senate today was contradictory to what had been discussed in ANP’s meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and the coalition partners.
“During the meeting, consensus was reached on ANP proposed amendments to the bill drafts 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.”
Earlier, the ANP, which is a key ally in the ruling coalition had refused to support the dual nationality bill and had proposed some changes in the draft bill.
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Are we not bent upon creating issues afresh when we already have plenty around awaiting resolution. The number of Pakistanis holding duel nationality is small. There are no reliable figures available but I suspect it is no more than 500,000. In the UK over 95% persons of Pakistani origin (from appx.1 M) holding duel nationality are from AK. In the Europe their number is no more than 50,000. Out of these the 2nd and 3rd generation has no wish to come to Pakistan permanently given its geo, socio and political situation lased with religious strife. Further 99.9% Pakistanis working in the Middle East hold PK nationality. If at all this issue is so burning and important needing immediate attention then why not to establish a commission with properly drawn out terms of reference and asking for its recommendations for consideration in a more rational manner. But then it is a sensible approach and we as Pakistanis are not accustomed to it. For there is no sanity left . Rememer any law made to protect the interests of a minority is a bad law
@Nadeem Ahmad,
Wrong, wrong, wrong ! I have been a dual national all my life and I know many, many dual nationals. Anybody who thinks that dual nationals are the source of Pakistans income is complete confused and mistaken.
no the difference between dual nationals and overseas Pakistani's. If the government wants to do something right give special representation to overseas Pakistani's that will cover the dual nationals as well.
If and when I want to hold public office in Pakistan, I would happily give up my other citizenship.
@Rehan: The people who send money to their FAMILIES in Pakistan aren't even dual nationals. So who is this bill for?
Who are more loyal to Pakistan?..The dual nationality holders. Who sends billions of dollars to Pakistan? The dual nationality holders. Who are in a better position to serve Pakistan? The dual nationality holders. Who are more honest and hard working? The dual nationality holders. Who are traitors and terrorists? The single nationality holders. Who transfer billions of dollars out of Pakistan? The single nationality holders. Who has caused more harm to Pakistan? The single nationality holders. Who are lazy, uneducated and unskilled? The single nationality holders. The blames on dual nationals by single nationality holders are bogus, untrue and unrealistic, but deeds of single nationality holders are well documented, proven and true. Those who disrespect dual nationality holders and want to cut their ties with their motherland, must remember that when you come to us, do not expect any service or donation from us. Now you have to spend looted money on yourself. We are not going to spend a penny on these criminals. We are waiting very anxiously for Imran, Nawaz, Aitezaz, Rabbani, Fazlo etc.
A little late in the day for these two, but doing something right should be commended.
Don't confuse between Overseas Pakistani's and dual nationals. I am a dual national and do not support dual nationals holding public office in Pakistan or being eligible to be elected to national or provincial assembly.
The was bulk of the foreign money being sent to pakistan is by overseas Pakistani's and not dual nationals. Being a dual-national I could live my whole life outside of USA and never have to come to Pakistan, on the other hand an overseas Pakistani is tied to Pakistan and has every right to hold a public office on his/her return.
The proposed bill is neither for me (a Dual national) or for the deserving overseas Pakistanis, it is for the crooks already in the parliament illegally, so do not be fooled by these crooks.
For all those who are against dual nationality must also stop getting funds from overseas. When a foreign national cannot contest elections in Pakistan due to his/her oath to the new homeland then all their donations would be to support their new country. The parties raising big monies in foreign countries must be stopped ASAP, and their fund raising activities made illegal. Foreign citizens are not good for Pakistan so their agents should not be good for Pakistan as well. We cannot have it both ways and parties run by foreign money cannot be patriotic. To avoid all these issues let the Pakistanis keep their birth right and full citizenship.
Millions of Americans refused to support their government when USA attacked Iraq. Their oath or pledge didn't come in their way. I hope millions of Pakistanis will also oppose their government if Pakistan fights an unjust war. Dual nationality opponents argue that during war, these dual nationals might support Pakistan's enemy. May I ask them, Pakistan has declared war against terrorists but millions of single nationality holders are not only opposing this war, they are fighting against Pakistan. Are these single nationality holders are traitors too?
The historical records would show that most people with dual nationality have supported country of their original nationality. That is why Japanese were put in camps during the Second world WAR.
How foolish the ruling class is? It is good that they are not in favor of dual nationality bill, but is it also not bad that the same is trying to clip down the powers of judiciary by bringing new contempt of court ordinance? Alas! the rulers are making the masses fool and the masses are becoming too again in 21st century..
@elcay: "Despite reservations/objections, the bill be passed with astounding majority."
This is a constitutional amendment and requires 2/3 majority which it does not currently have supporting this bill.
@Yasser: If they are leaving why to bother about Pakistan.
Why Imran is silent these days? He was absent from long march and have not spoken any word about dual nationality. Is this the way to lead a nation in times of crisis? He is afraid that if he speaks against dual nationals, he will lose all donations from expatriate Pakistanis who are collecting rotten eggs for these confused politicians. He is caught between fire and frying pan.
na Noora league PPP ka saath detee na ye nobat aatee. PMLN should have resigned from National and provincial assemblies and we would be preparing for general elections. PMLN only protest when it is sure that a bill will be passed in NA with or without their support. Sadly PMLN still think that all people of Pakistan are fool!
Just as if they matter to us and we still hold them in high esteem.
Pakistan would go bankrupt in a day if overseas Pakistanis were to stop sending remittances. Regards, Rehan
this bill is not only supported in pakistani politics but also by overseas pakistani since they will also get a chance to play a role in pakistani politics nice move, secondly people with money can be part of parliament and help local politicians with foreign money.
this is just a show of to present them as a democratic party, otherwise what was their stand on contempt of court cause? and Mr.Itizaz tried his best to save his master account in Swiss banks..
@Atif Yousufzai: better live in a practical world, where optimism rules, not pessimism. Read the constitutions of the worlds most developed nations.
Pakistani nationals who have dual nationality of Britain are members of parliament in UK, like Chaudhry Sarwar, his son, Lord Nazir, Baroness Warsi and few others.
Many Pakistan nationals are integral part of British political system at various level. Hundreds of Paksitani national take part in British elections at various tiers of the democratic system.
Thousands of Pakistani residents in UK who are even not British citizens are registered voters by virtue of their residence or as Common Wealth Citizens.
Pakistani constitution is contain many articles which make it a deficit democratic and federal constitution. Restrictions for dual nationals to take part in elections is one and be amended, it would make Pakistani constitution more democratic.
dual nationality bill is to accommodate american sponsored people to rule pakistan.
All the present members of the Parliament and the Senate should be now kept under scrutiny and deny them exit from the country if they try to run away after the elections. In fact by passing the Dual nationality bill, the immunity bill, those who voted in favor of it should be tried for being traitors (GADDARS) of Pakistan. The P.M must be made to explain the total merit of Dual Nationality and the Contempt Bill to the nation and the necessity of passing the bills. It should be done in writing and the nation should then decide the fate of the members of parliament and senators.
I am sure ANP doesn't have many dual nationals thats why they are opposing the bill!
@Atif Yousufzai: Oh please stop giving out emotional threats! The vast majority of Pakistanis who live outside of Pakistan for work and study etc are only Pakistani citizens, so don't mix overseas Pakistanis with dual nationals. If you are so concerned about Pakistan then giving up your citizenship from another country should be a small price. Is any other country going to let a Pakistani citizen hold public office in their country or allow them to be elected for congress etc?
Despite reservations/objections, the bill be passed with astounding majority.
I Love This Country! It's The Government That Scares The Hell Outa Me
Well, as I've said elsewhere, I agree with the idea of elected officials not being allowed to have dual nationality. However... "He asked why the US was listed among 16 countries Pakistan had an agreement with if it had such clauses in the oath." Certainly the oath isn't going to be changed for Pakistan's sensitivities. The answer is probably found in the details of that agreement, stating certain exceptions to it customized for such a scenario. If not, then yeah, people didn't really think it through.
I oppose dual nationality bill too
Sixty Percent of Pakistanis want to leave Pakistan due to poor situation, must be 85% in Karachi, still they are opposing dual nationality bill, oh so that they can rule on the remaning 40% oppressed ?
These Haji Adeels, Aitiaz Ahsans and Rabbanis will now write the fate of Pakistanis, i warn you don't ignite the fire on these overseas Pakistani's issue, otherwise Pakistani will become like Ethopia, where even their own nationals who are living abroad will not visit this country.
Can anyone knows the stance of both leaders on Contempt of court bill ??
The only good move by ANP in the past 4 and a half years otherwise ANP is just supporting PPP in every aspect and also they played a vital role in Destroying Railways especially its Cargo Transport so that their Trucking Business will reach to new heights.