Dual nationality: ‘Country does not need half-Pakistanis as representatives’
Ebrahim, speaking to the media in Lahore, said, “This is a defining moment for the country. If free and fair elections won’t be conducted then we won’t have the ‘new Pakistan’ that we want.”
He said that the only task that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has “from 5am to 12am” is to deliberate over how free and fair elections could be conducted. Ebrahim said that a lot of mistakes were made in the past and that it was time to improve.
“The ECP has summoned a meeting on October 9 to decide what to do on the issue of dual nationality. We were the first ones to disqualify parliamentarians, holding dual nationalities. Now that the Supreme Court is also looking into the matter, it has further strengthened this case. This matter if of high importance”
He said that the parliament “was upset” over how some politicians were disqualified for holding dual nationalities. “We sought information from some of them, but they refused to cooperate.”
Ebrahim expressed dissatisfaction over the media coverage done on the voters list and said that the media “misquoted figures”.
“The newspapers run stories saying that hundreds of thousands of voters’ name were not included in the voters’ list … I say, take at least one or two thousand names which you think are not there in the list to prove it.”
The CEC said that it was the responsibility of the election commission to compile voters’ list, however, the politicians, media, the civil society and voters were also responsible for it.
“If your name is not there in the list then you should get yourself registered, now that the process has become so simple and you can register yourself through your computerised national identity card.”
He also dispelled rumors about any intervention from the Presidency, saying that there never was and never will be any intervention from the Presidency.
COMMENTS (66)
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Pakistan was created for muslims and now they are acquiring new citizenships ??? In sixty odd years, they now now deserting what IQBAL and THE QUAID fought for. They must be ashamed of themselves for being on the payroll of Pakistan. Imagine the PAKISTANI tax payer footing the salary of a FOREIGNER!!!!! Shame!!!!!!
@Dr.A.K.Tewari: The overseas pakistanis are sending money to their kith and kin in pakistan and not donating that to help the government of the time. Their remittances are also serving the government needs for foreign exchange but, basically and primarily, they benefit their relations in pakistan. After the money laundering rules were tightened in the western countries, the overseas pakistanis had no way left open to send their money through 'hundi' or 'hawaala'. This channel of remittances show how selfish was that to send the money lthrough these illegal channels just because they get a small amount in excess compared to the officiald bank rates. That's why ithe remittances have increased following the stringent money laundering rules.
@Hassan Altaf:
"But the term “Half Pakistani” is in bad taste."
Not really. For example if you are also a citizen of the US, didn't you take an oath of allegiance to the US, your adopted land? So, unless you were lying, you are going to have divided interests and loyalties.
In addition to dual nationality, many of these elites who control Pakistan, including military generals, politicians and mullahs, have their children and family living in western countries. At the drop of a hat, when things get rough in Pakistan, they will catch the next flight these foreign destinations.
Even if law prohibits dual citizens to contest elections in Pakistan, it does not give anybody a right to determine or categorize non-resident Pakistanis as "half Pakistanis" or "impure Pakistanis". This abominable categorization by a person occupying an important constitutional position is extremely reprehensible. We should obey and follow the law but it is no mans' right to declare others "half Pakistanis" or "impure Pakistanis", this trend should be condemned.
Half Pakistanis are just like half baked cakes.
All he has done is voiced and upheld what the Constitution and the Law says. Simply doing that in Pakistan is a challenge. Well done Sir.
@Waheed Mazhar: I fully agree with your sentiments. He should not have generalized his comments in such a manner. The prevailing and deteriorating conditions in the country are due to those so called " pure Pakistanis " that compelled the so called " half Pakistanis " who immigrated to other countries for their livelihood or to explore better opportunities and surely with no intentions of becoming half Pakistanis. However, few exceptions in either way, can not be over ruled. Sadly, the country that depends heavily on the foreign currency remittance of those labeled, are not even allowed to vote.
Nation need full Pakistani parliamentarian instead of half Pakistani. Good task to clean the parliament from duel nationality parliamentarian. I am with CEC for taken bold steps
@Arshad:
Dual nationals if they are from Common Wealth countries OK and also expats both if they are present in Pakistan on election day.....
How many District, High Court and Supreme Court judges are dual citizen?
Can they be 'Full' Pakistani's?
Wah Fukroo wah , now you are working in accordance with the wishes of CJ who think that Pakistani taliban are true Pakistani and half Pakistani are not pure who are sending millions of dollers at the time of present crisis .
You may call us half pakistani. Even though we live physically seven seas away in foreign lands our soul is always and will always be in our mother land pakistan.
Judiciary has its own reasons namely political to take up the dual citizenship issue of parliamentarians and Media has its own. A straight forward issue has been confused by the 'experts' of all sorts. Countries can be divided into a few classes in terms of their approaches towards the dual citizenship issue in general. USA, for instance, does not recognize you citizen of any other country except its own, and there is no bar on holding any public office for any American citizen. A different restriction applies to becoming the president though. Canada unilaterally does not have any problem for you to be a citizen of any other country besides Canada no matter that country allows you to have dual citizenship or not. There is absolutely no bar for anyone who has a dual citizenship to hold any position including PM-ship or governor general-ship in Canada. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is one of those countries which allows dual citizenship only with some selected countries. There must not be any bar to become a parliamentarian on a Pakistani who holds dual citizenship with those countries with whom Pakistan recognizes dual citizenship like the UK and Canada. If there is a constitutional restriction it must be amended as it stands against citizen's fundamental rights. Those countries whom Pakistan does not recognize dual citizenship with are a different matter like USA and Russia. It makes sense that these people are barred from holding public offices.
In short, the question of right to be elected must be seen and driven from Pakistan's citizenship laws.
You may call us half pakistani,we may live physically seven seas away in foreign lands,but our soul is always and will always be in pakistan.
Pity the nation which takes pride in turning friends into enemies! If anything, you need more qualified people with exposure to industrialized nations to steady this listing ship. We are living in a global village, people!
US activist group are lobbying again NATO Supplies; so as a Pakistani; why would we SUPPORT; bring logic and common sense into reasoning. That does not violate US Citizenship in any way.
That is why many politicians have called for a change in our CONSTITUTION.
@Hasan: yes sir but wht do u expect from an MNA voting for resolution on restriction on NATO supplies for example? if he votes for it he breaks the oath of US citizenship and if he votes for it then people of pakistan has a right to check his loyalty to pakistan.
All I can say is that us Dual National's have done more for the country then majority have done. The Oath DOES NOT restrict our limit us from being a PAKISTANI.
Mr. Fakharudin is a respectable person and served on the bench as well. His present position is also very important. It is so sad that he has made a careless statement and has delved into defining and determining "pure and impure Pakistanis". His act of declaring dual citizens as "half Pakistanis" has really caused emotional pain to a vast patriot majority living abroad. The statement is neither justifiable nor can be considered a civilized comment of an educated person. I think he should offer a clarification to clear his otherwise respectable image.
What we need in Pakistan is institutional and individual restrain.... I don't believe Farkhru Bhai (although an honest and upright man) have the right to judge anyone as pure or half Pakistani and questions peoples loyalties to there country. As far as Dual national contest election or not it should be left for the people's representative to decide through the parliament and constitutional change.
One quick observation. the condition of the country today is due to people's and institutional flawed policies and dishonesty. I am sure most of them were pure pakistani's if we go by Fakhru Bhai's definition.
Fair enough, and he makes a good point about shahbaz, the term "half-pakistani" is kind of distasteful though.
But remember one thing. Without overseas Pakistanis like me, this country would have gone bankrupt an awful long time ago.
Overseas Pakistanis are patriotic, and the backbone of the Pakistani economy. Im third generation, British Pakistani, do you have any idea of the sums we send "back home" from here? Go to all the areas in Pakistan which have a strong UK based overseas population...Mirpur, Jhelum, Kharian etc. And look at the sort of investment that comes into those areas.
@Nadir: You need a longer err... Its not one person decision, it is written by constitution and as if it was not enough, it is endorsed by supreme court.
we do not want to see dual national our representative,please protect pakistan and us from these cunning people,
What makes someone a full Pakistani????? and who decides that?
Yes, we do not need dual national. They should go back to serve the nation tjey have nationality. They have cheated Pakistanis, they should return what they have earned during the last 5 years.
Yes, we do not dual national. They should go back to serve the nation tjey have nationality. They have cheated Pakistanis, they should return what they have earned during the last 5 years.
I am a US Citizen of Pakistan origin. When I became US Citizen by my own choice, I took the following Oath of Citizenship.
"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."
Can someone in in Pakistan with proper knowledge of the laws (not emotional commentators), please guide and explain as to how can I be a member of Legislative Assembly in Pakistan without either being untruthful to my Oath of Citizenship of The United States or being unfaithful and deceiving to the Pakistani Legislative Assembly and the honorable people of Pakistan when my loyalties as per my Oath are all with The United States.
Thank you.
I ask these dual nationals that when you swear on oath in us and uk that u will be loyal to them, were you all lying? How can you be loyal to Pakistan when you don't pay any taxes here? There are some among you who were sent on scholarships on tax payer money but never returned, are they loyal enough to deserve Mna or mpa status?
Can someone tell him that he is not a judge anymore, so stop passing these unwanted dregatory judgments against millions of Pakistanis who are abroad and have rights to come back and participate in election process. As an election commissioner he should be worried of how free and fair elections can be held in present day Pakistan.
@Ahmad: You are sending money to some charity or to your family?
I am Dual National; residing in US; it wasn't my decision to move here; neither was I my decision to obtain Dual Nationality; I was bron and raised for a quite a bit of my life in Pakistan. I can say it with PROUD; that I AM PAKISTANI; not a HALF; but A FULL Pakistani; I have more Patriotism, and love for my motherland, then most folks residing in Pakistan. We fight and struggle everyday of our lives to improve the image of Pakistan in abroad, and portray the best depiction, of an average pakistani; through our life style. I my self have taken part and led in NUMEROUS; fundraising events and acts of support when ever our country needed it; whether it be flood relief, or earth quake victims, dangue virus, what ever it may be. My famiiy's property and everything else is based out of Pakistan. I CAN SAY IT WITH PROUD; that I am a GREAT AMBASSADOR for my beloved country then most are
I have no desire to contest in an election or something of this sort; but I am DEPRESSED to see such an arrogant attitude towards a POSITIVE change.
Fakhroo Dada just do the job you have been entrusted. It is not your job to give comments as to what should be done and what not. It is the sole prerogative of the people of Pakistan through their elected Parliament to decide what should be done and what not. What a pity on this nation that paid servants due to the infighting among the leaders have become the sole custodians of each and every thing in this country .
Also dual nationality holders and even overseas Pakistanis (unless they are present in the country on the polling day) should not be allowed to vote as is the rule in most countries.
Such outrageous observations are however unwarranted and must be avoided.
I fully and totally agree with the action being taken against the 'half pakistanis'. They (HP) should not even have voting right, both in pakistan and overseas. The thinking, vision and approach to handle pakistan's political and otherewise problems between HP's and FP's (full pakistanis) are different. Those HP's living in Europe and America and other western countries are living and being brought up in democratic conditions. This is not true in the case of FP's. So there will always be a clash of thinking and views between the HP's and FP's. Moreover, the filth and the way elections are fought in pakistan will also be practised in overseas by the pakistanis given right to voting.
Outrageous and unwarranted statements against such Pakistani,s must be avoided. They need not be hated,on account of their dual nationality.
CEC does not have the right to give opinions on the aspirations of Pakistani people which can be better displayed by parliament or decision of courts. All Pakistanis even if living overseas have the right as a citizen to cast vote. Logistics should not become an excuse for mr CEC.
What if the parliament amends the constitution and allows dual nationality holders to contest elections and sit in the parliament; will the Chief Election Commissioner change his statement? Why do the CEC have to make such irresponsible statements. Comes across as an upstart.
Sir, how about finding out who is funding some of the new parties being sprung from the woodwork ? May be that is not your job and we may need to contact Asghar Khan to dig through the dirt.
‘Country does not need half-Pakistanis as representatives’ he should add... but the country needs the half Pakistanis remittances otherwise it would be in the stone ages.
Excuse me Mr. Fakhruddin, a person like me had no choice. My family moved to the United States because we had no income nor jobs available in Gujjar Khan and once we studied and settle in American we sent money to all members of our extended family which they invested in Pakistan to start their small businesses there. Now with enough income and yes American citizenship, we want to move back and yes have an opportunity to serve Pakistan through public office.
I can appreciate your idealism but think from the perspective of millions of Pakistanis who were forced to leave because of no future opportunity for betterment of themselves or the country, then you will understand the reality.
I think we should meet someway in middle such as allowing us to suspend our foreign citizenship (and surrender my foreign passport) for the period of time we can serve as public office bearers but barring us completely because we didn't have a choice is simply unjust.
Also please there are many public office holders in many countries who have dual citizenship. They are not half anything. They are full citizens of both countries.
-- A Half Pakistani but a FULL Patriot of Pakistan.
Already enough harm has been done to the fabric of this country by individuals who only think of there own personal benefit...this issue of dual nationality allowing them to hold public positions will undermine the basic concept of Pakistan....Long live Fakhru Bhai and supreme court..
@asim: In your own fantasy world maybe.
so people like me who send what amounts to hundreds of thousands of rupees back home to pakistan are half pakistani?
Quite ridiculous and un-warranted rather childish. Below the required level of dignity and status the person occupies.No one should loose sight of the fact that gentleman is a former Judge.He should be more careful in his public expressions.
You are doing a great service to Pakistan, Thank you so very much.
Fakhru bhae stance in appreciated. There are enough full Pakistani's to decide for them selves.
What a brave statement of Fakhru Bhai. Pakistan needs persons like Fakhru bhai.
Right people at right positions will make difference. PPP's only good deed was appointing Ebrahim
Though I am also dual citizen but I agree with each and everyone saying "Dual Citizens" should not be allowed to contest elections and should never be allowed to take any public office. But the term "Half Pakistani" is in bad taste.
Only thing we Pakistanis want form ECP is to hold transparent elections that are not rigged by any force. SIMPLE!
Bravo Ebrahim G!
ECP should have the capacity and enough resources at least close to the election time to be able to verify the eligibility of the candidates. Is the candidate AMEEN, HONEST, WITH NO CRIMINAL RECORD?
Dear sir, Also define -who is pure pakistani; Benazir could barely speak Urdu.but she was pure pakistani
great statement....
This goes without saying. For too long Pakistanis have been having the cake, eating it and licking the icing too. You either are Pakistani or you are not.
They cannot be members of the Parliament. I agree with the views of Justice(Rt) Fakhruddin Ebrahim on this issue
Errr...how democratic for one person to declare what Pakistanis need and want.
Mr. Fakhruddin Ibrahim is not afraid to call a spade a spade. How come they have not yet started plotting his downfall?