Nationality declaration: ECP to write letters to 1174 parliamentarians

SC had directed ECP to proceed with legal formalities against dual national lawmakers.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will write letters to the 1174 parliamentarians, who need to file fresh declarations about their nationality, ECP Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmad said on Tuesday - according to Radio Pakistan. 

The Supreme Court had disqualified some dual national lawmakers and directed the ECP to proceed with legal formalities against those lawmakers.

The National Assembly and Senate, however, have refused to comply with the Supreme Court order.

The provincial assemblies of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have asked their lawmakers to submit affidavits confirming that they do not hold dual nationalities.

Under Article 63 (1) (c) of the Constitution, a person is not eligible to become a member of parliament or a provincial assembly if he/she possesses any foreign nationality. The constitutional provision was not adhered to till recently, when the Supreme Court disqualified 11 lawmakers, from different political parties, adjudged to be dual nationals on September 20.