Sail-less: Dual nationality bill likely to stay on the shelf
The government, it seems, has been forced to backtrack on the 22nd Amendment Bill – better known as the dual nationality bill – after failing to muster enough support from its coalition partners.
The Awami National Party (ANP), a key ally of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government, refused to support the bill. The government left the bill out of the agenda at today’s session of the Senate due to a lack of the required numeric strength in the house.
The bill, which paves the way for dual nationals to become members of parliament, was deferred during the last session as well.
“We will oppose the dual nationality bill until the government assures us of introducing the 23rd and 24th amendments,” said ANP Senator Zahid Khan.
During the last session, the PPP included the 23rd amendment in the agenda on the ANP’s demand but could not table it as it failed to even muster support for the 22nd Amendment Bill.
“My party has conveyed its concerns over the dual nationality bill to the government. We proposed two new bills to resolve the issue amicably,” Senator Khan said.
The government has been having a hard time winning a two-thirds majority (69 out of 104 votes) in the Senate in order to pass the 22nd Amendment. According to a PPP senator, there is “severe resentment” among PPP senators, who are 39 in number, over the issue.
“The PPP is only doing all this to please the MQM – the only party that favours the dual nationality bill,” said the senator, who chose not to be named.
On the other hand, PPP Senator Saeeda Iqbal claimed that her party had won the support of 71 senators and would get the dual nationality bill passed in the upcoming Senate session.
Regarding the delay, she said the PPP always believed in going ahead with complete consensus on all legislative business.
Wednesday’s session
The government has skipped the 22nd and 23rd amendments, and has, instead, added the Trade Organisation Bill, 2012, for legislative business, according to Wednesday’s (today) orders of the day, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune.
According to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Zaffar Ali Shah, however, it is obligatory for the government to forward the deferred bills first before introducing new ones.
“The PML-N will oppose the 22nd amendment tooth and nail in both houses of parliament,” Senator Shah said.
23rd and 24th amendment bills
Interestingly, last month, the government included the 23rd amendment on the Senate’s agenda at the behest of ANP. The amendment seeks a bar on civil servants from holding dual nationalities.
“Government servants in BPS-20 or equivalent and above … shall not hold dual nationality or citizenship of a foreign country,” reads the one-page bill, which is yet to be tabled in the upper house of parliament.
The ANP has also handed over the 24th amendment to the government, which seeks to bar judges from holding dual nationalities.
“It is necessary for the judges of lower and superior courts to not hold nationality or citizenship of any foreign country,” said Senator Zahid Khan. The ANP is said to have handed over the proposed bill to Law Minister Farooq H Naek last week.
However, Law Secretary Yasmin Abbasi remained clueless about the move. “This (the plan to introduce the 24th Amendment) is not in my knowledge,” she told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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@Malik very well said.
This is a wrong, illegal, unconstitutional and an immoral stand. This has discredited the MQM and the PPP ( it appears that being discredited does it matter to them )
@hassan Lets try understanding the reasons behind getting dual nationality. If we understand the mindset of the people who want to get another nationality, which I understand may be 99% of pakistanis then only then we will realize the problem lies within. For what I understand, prime reason to get another Nationality is for sercurity of himself and his family. Risks are divided and he is better off when Pakistan fails. So his desire to sincerely save a sinking ship would not be that much as his family is already on another ship and he/she has got a reserved boat that will take him to another ship while others drown. Consider otherwise, when his stakes are all in Pakistan and the only way he and his family is secure is when Pakistan is secure and harmonious country. That individual might make more sincere effort for betterment of Pakistan willingly or unwillingly. I am not against dual nationality, but I think it may be fair to ask the public representatives to relinquish their other nationalities if they are claiming to serve in Pakistan. It is good to know about Jose Mujica. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20243493
The Constitution and the Law has to be upheld. A person who sits in the assembly as a law maker can not be a ' half-Pakistani ' it is not only a clash of interests but is morally wrong. This move has badly discredited the MQM and the PPP, of course discredit to them means nothing but it does to the people of Pakistan.
@hasan: Do you have DUAL NATIONALITY?
The only three good things the ANP has done in its life as a political party, is firstly, opposing the 22nd amendment against dual nationality for parliament members. (If the PPP is favoring the MQM for the passage of 22nd amendment bill, then Heaven have mercy on the sovereign status of Pakistanis in this country. Then why not open the doors and say 'Benvenuto' to Iranis, Turks, Bengalis, Malaysians, Chinese, Afghans, Omanis, Iraqis, English, Russians, et al to come and operate this confused country). The Americans and Saudis are already playing fiddle.
In continuation, the second good thing the ANP has done is opposing 23rd Amendment being dual nationality for bureaucrats from BPS 20 and above. Why not for employees in government service below BPS 20? (Then maybe, the Afghans will have to say 'adieu.') Thirdly, the 24th Amendment, for judges of all categories be they of District and Sessions, Higher, or Supreme courts.
The two worst things the ANP ever did was to allow the Indians to fotocopy the alias of 'Frontier Gandhi' on their founder and then wear 'red caps' that connotes the color of innocent victims (RBCs).
Salams to Pakistan and Imran Khan (Hoping he will see the light at the end of the tunnel).
Actually we Nationalists hail this move. This increases the chances of the parliament being invaded by foreign forces and second thing if a person is patriotic enough and if he really wants to serve the country he must be willing to give up his second identity if such an identity exists.
I have lived in foreign nations and am technically still living outside though I am currently in Karachi but the rule is pretty sensible. There should be no amendments to this rule. Its not a big deal. What is more important, a better life with quick passport checking and stuff for yourself or helping the people of our state. Make the decision but you can't have both.
We Nationalists believe in struggle for the people and particularly in the replacement of self-interest with National-interest though personal choice should also come into play... but a person who chooses National Interest must choose National interest and he cannot waver.
Ex-Leader PNA President Nationalist News Network (Representative)
Someone please wake me up on this one. On being a citizen of two states eventually you may have to end up taking sides. Now in this eventuality what does a member of parliament do? Even a serious discussion on the subject is perpoistrous.
All should try reading the American oath one has to take before becoming US citizen. If one still has doubts, try this hypothesis, " I am an Indian citizen as well as Pakistani and a member of both Parliaments and consequentially member of defence committees and privy to secrets." How do I vote? Anyone even trying to solve this predicament shall be dishonest.
@Hasan Collapse of British colonialism or forced out, English politicians came with a brilliant idea to allow duel citizenships to it's common wealth countries (invaded, occupied n slaves nations). In their version it was a gift, dark side was by doing so keep division within each country (those who get British passport n those who wait in line). But those politician, business community, high ups in government, PM's, President's, Army Generals's, etc etc were the main gifted ones. By doing so, English man was able to change governments, rulers, parliamentarian etc n this way although these countries were so called free but infect they manage to keep indirect control. Here question of loyalty or faithfulness was not under attack but seed of "principle of compromise" was. Than as we can see now, this seed turned into tree and till today English man n friends eating fruits (in each common wealth country we note governments could be changed, corruption sky rocket, each politician/other could be bought/sold, main stream population living hand to mouth, if that's not enough ethnic, religious n sectarian riots could erupt from no where). Now, to our region (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh name few) historical background of this region n it's people are connected within by inter-marriages, religious affiliation, language, culture, food name few) makes it vulnerable. Duel nationality in Baluchistan (Iran, Afghanistan n Pakistan common), Northern area (Afganistan, Tajiks, Turkistan etc n Pakistan common) Urdu speaking before refugees now MQM (Indian, Pakistan common). Western powers new this before n now it obvious this mix n they are working accordingly. Hope this historical background may be off some help.
@hasan: How about conflict of interest in times Pakistan has security related issues with USA or any other country? Legislation helps guide the institutions in times of such or other crisis by providing clear guidelines.
I failed to understand that how a person having dual nationality is not as loyal and faithful to his native land ...