Support from london: Altaf defends dual nationality holders

MQM chief Altaf Hussain called for removing the bar on their right to vote, and contest elections.

KARACHI:

In a pointed address, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain went all out in his defence of dual national citizens, and called for removing the bar on their right to vote, and contest elections.

In an address to MQM representatives over the telephone on Thursday, Altaf called the bar on dual national citizens from contesting elections an “injustice,” and appealed to the Supreme Court, establishment and the government to reconsider the decision and amend the Constitution to allow dual nationals the right to contest elections.

He also called for looking into allowing overseas Pakistanis to vote.

The Supreme Court recently disqualified 11 members of the provincial and assemblies and National Assembly on grounds that they were dual nationality holders.

On Monday, President Asif Ali Zardari met with Altaf in London on Monday, and told him that the government would be attempting to legislate on the issue of dual nationality holders contesting elections. An earlier attempt at such legislation was derailed after vociferous opposition from within the ranks of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.

Let the public decide

In his speech, Altaf asked whether “acquiring dual nationality also takes away the rights as a Pakistani by birth.”

Ostensibly referring to his own experience, he also asked whether “someone who has been forced into exile by a political government and becomes a naturalised citizen should not be allowed to contest elections.”

“Dual nationals, being the sons of the soil, should be allowed to contest elections if people are ready to accept them and give them their vote ... Then it should be left to the public to decide,” he said.

Altaf cited examples of famous foreign leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, who was an Italian citizen and is now heading India’s Congress Party, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who retained his Austrian nationality even when he became the governor of California, and US President Barack Obama, whose father was not an American citizen.

He spoke on the loyalty and support expatriate Pakistanis have shown to the country, particularly when it comes to remittances and humanitarian causes. “They have supported the treasury and the political process,” the MQM chief said.

“Is it fair to look on them with suspicion and disparage their patriotism,” he asked.

Hitting out at PML-N

The MQM chief also hit out at former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. “Not everyone gets a deal to be a guest of the king of Saudi Arabia and enjoy his hospitality and get a palace,” he said, referring to the deal under which the Sharif family was allowed to leave Pakistan by General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

“The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has supported the bar on dual nationals not contesting elections, but then they [the Sharifs] also spent eight years abroad. Should they not be allowed to be prime minister or chief minister?”

Pressing for the bill

“I do not want to get into legal and constitutional issues,” he said, “but the constitution has been amended in the past.”

The bill to allow dual nationals the right to contest elections is currently pending with a standing committee of the Senate, and has reportedly been approved by the Cabinet.

It is expected that there will be a push to have the legislation passed by the Senate during its upcoming session, but the support of more political parties will be essential to have it passed through the National Assembly. The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid may sign on as a partner, since the bar impacts all political parties and candidates for the upcoming general elections.

Altaf asked the chief justice and other judges to reconsider their decision.

“I am not saying this for my personal interest or a few others, but for the country’s interest,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2012.