NA session: Outrage over dual nationality declaration continues
Lawmakers from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Thursday continued their criticism of the Election Commission of Pakistan for seeking fresh affidavits from parliamentarians over their dual nationality.
“Being Member National Assembly (MNA) has almost become a sin as there are certain suspicions on their academic certificates. They are receiving proforma (Latin for ‘for the sake of form’) about dual nationality and it seems they might be asked for a DNA test as well,” said PPP legislator Aijaz Virk.
Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, Virk called the ECP’s decision, carried out on the directives of the Supreme Court, ‘an insult’ to parliament and also pointed out some language mistakes in the proforma sent to them.
Virk’s criticism comes on the heels of similar bashing of the ECP by his party colleagues a couple of days ago.
Separate winter tariff for gas
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain informed the lower house that the government was contemplating introducing separate tariffs for gas for summer and winter to overcome shortages.
He added, however, that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Federal Cabinet would take the final decision, but stopped short of explaining how the move was anticipated to enhance gas supply during winter, which is just around the corner.
To a question, Minister for Defence Syed Naveed Qamar informed the National Assembly that an order had been placed for purchasing three Boeing 777 aircraft for the Pakistan International Airline (PIA), besides acquiring other planes on dry lease shortly.
He said that every jet had a flying age and was replaced after a specific period. He added that five unserviceable PIA aircraft were permanently grounded in the last four years as per the decision of the Board of Directors of PIA.
The minister further said that no chartered fight of the PIA was cancelled due to non supply of oil.
To a question‚ Minister for Heritage and Integration Samina Khalid Ghurki said that 472 new artifacts had been added to the existing museum collections at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology at Shakarparian in Islamabad during the last four years. Ghurki said over 1,200 new antiquities and precious statues had been discovered from different parts of the country in the last five years.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the federal government‚ governments of Punjab and Sindh‚ Pakistan Baitul Maal and Bahria Town Administration have compensated the bereaved families’ victims of fire incidents in factories in Karachi and Lahore. Some Rs156.28 million were distributed among them, he added.
The National Assembly also offered fateha for former minister Dr Sher Afghan Niazi, who passed away on Thursday after protracted illness.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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Most of the Present parliamentarians, themselves are an insult to this institution. It's amazing that they don't even feel shame.
@Juju:
There is no rocket science to understand the logic of EC's decision...
though belated, these dual nationals MPs shud have declared their dual nationality while submitting nomination papers..which EC now is perusing same under order from SC
These dual nationals have therefore , misdeclared as per constitutional clause 63 1c is therefore liable to be disqualified , again as per mentioned clause...nothingwrong done by EC under order of SC....
@Juju:
If we go by your logic the Americans are not fool whose oath of Allegiance is self- explaintory....which says that new citizen must denounce loyalty to its original country....and please there is a difference between expat sand dual nationality....please !...look up in the dictionary.....
I don't understand the logic behind ECP's decision. Maybe it was under influence by PCO judges, I don't know. The people who've looted Pakistani treasury by the billions are single national Pakisntanis (look up: Hussain Nawaz London investments). On the other hand oversees Pakistanis have provided for this country on a massive scale (look up: Edhi charity details, Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital charity details, etc.)
Being a dual national is not being disloyal. The phenomenon of a global village makes international boundaries less and less relevant everyday. Pakistani dual nationals are members of House of Lords in Britain, ex-Canadian PM John Turner was a dual-national. Even Sonia Gandhi is allegedly a dual national as expressed by Sushma Swaraj. Regardless we as Pakistanis have to progress, not regress.
Let the people decide if they want a "disloyal" dual national or a strictly single national "loyal" representative for their constituency, the "awaam" is the true judge in a democracy! The performance of the representative will speak for his loyalty, yup it's that simple.
There are two main reasons for obtaining dual nationality: 1) to find jobs and provide a better living for their families abroad 2) to escape political opression
The first one gives Pakistan vital remittances, a lot of people have spoken on this issue. The second one is an unfortunate byproduct of our chiefly single province-minded establishment. What else could Baloch (nationalists), MQM (false "Jinnahpur" cases), ANP (Bacha Khan "traitor" case) and other minority leaders do? They had to take refuge with other nations. Even the man who passed Pakistan Resolution in Sindh Assembly - the only assembly to pass the resolution, Saeen GM Syed was condemned as a traitor.
What right does anyone have to call someone a traitor? We lost half of our country because of false accusations and constantly threathen to lose more. Please think with an open mind, you will come to the conclusion that speaking for your rights is not being a traitor and being a dual national is certainly not being disloyal.
Minister for Heritage and Integration? Wow, what's next, the Minister for Small Potted Plants and Bath Towels?
Instead of being ashamed of submitting fake degrees, false affidavits and misdeclaring their incomes, they have the gall to sound affronted! Hope the EC and Supreme Court will not spare such shady characters who are neither "sadiq" nor "ameen".
@Lobster:
Well said...we are an uncivilized country where our own MPs are speaking agains t the orders of SC which disqualified those dual nationals as per the our constitutional clause 631-c....SC has not done anything against law n constitution, did they ? If these MPs were truthful this controversy would not have arisen at all....if these MPs have any reservations against such action, they should have amended the relevant clause first and then if SC gives order against such dual nationals then their anger justified....
What Virk want to hide? parliamentarians in past did submit false declaration even degrees, in a civilized country, they would have been jailed.
You are an insult to the people of Pakistan as all of you, who have taken a false oath to declare that you are only citizens of Pakistan.
SC & ECP, you are doing a marvelous job, you are identifying the wolves and throwing them out of the herd.