Fresh push: Govt crafts new plan for dual nationals
Considers a consolidated amendment to allow dual nationals to stand for elections.
ISLAMABAD:
In a bid to resolve the dual nationality issue the government is now considering to replace the 22nd and 23rd Amendment known as the Dual Nationality Bill with a consolidated Amendment.
Under the new amendment dual nationality holders will be allowed to participate in elections. However, they would have to relinquish their foreign nationality before they take oath as a lawmaker.
Similarly, under the amendment civil servants who hold dual nationality would also be given a six-month time period to relinquish their foreign nationalities. Accordingly, an amendment in the bill would also be made for judges of all courts including the Supreme Court.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Farooq H Naek, however, said that the final decision on the bill would be reached after consultation with all the political parties.
“Reservations of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl regarding the bill will also be addressed amicably,” he maintained.
In response to a question the law minister said that the issue of dual nationals by birth would be addressed by the apex court. He then added that keeping in mind the sensitivity of the issue the Election Commission of Pakistan has already referred the matter to the Supreme Court.
It is speculated that the government deliberations come after its failure to muster support from its coalition partners on the issue. Awami National Party (ANP), a key ally of Pakistan Peoples Party categorically refused to vote in favour of the 22nd Amendment bill, a move which forced the government not to table the deferred bill in Senate.
However, Farroq Naek expressed confidence that the PPP-led government would succeed in getting the consolidated amendment passed through the Parliament.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) responded positively to the proposed idea. “We will welcome any move which can develop consensus on this contentious issue,” said MQM MNA Wasim Akhtar. He added that the new consolidated amendment will also aim to address any legal lacunas in the dual nationality bill.
ANP who first proposed the idea on both houses of the parliament however refrained from commenting unless a breakthrough was achieved. “Though I’m not in picture regarding this new move but things should move ahead,” said ANP MNA Bushra Gohar.
Meanwhile officials in the ministry on Thursday said that an informal committee likely to be headed by Senior Cabinet Minister Syed Khurshid Shah will be given the task to win support of the ANP and MQM leaders for the new bill.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2012.
In a bid to resolve the dual nationality issue the government is now considering to replace the 22nd and 23rd Amendment known as the Dual Nationality Bill with a consolidated Amendment.
Under the new amendment dual nationality holders will be allowed to participate in elections. However, they would have to relinquish their foreign nationality before they take oath as a lawmaker.
Similarly, under the amendment civil servants who hold dual nationality would also be given a six-month time period to relinquish their foreign nationalities. Accordingly, an amendment in the bill would also be made for judges of all courts including the Supreme Court.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Farooq H Naek, however, said that the final decision on the bill would be reached after consultation with all the political parties.
“Reservations of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl regarding the bill will also be addressed amicably,” he maintained.
In response to a question the law minister said that the issue of dual nationals by birth would be addressed by the apex court. He then added that keeping in mind the sensitivity of the issue the Election Commission of Pakistan has already referred the matter to the Supreme Court.
It is speculated that the government deliberations come after its failure to muster support from its coalition partners on the issue. Awami National Party (ANP), a key ally of Pakistan Peoples Party categorically refused to vote in favour of the 22nd Amendment bill, a move which forced the government not to table the deferred bill in Senate.
However, Farroq Naek expressed confidence that the PPP-led government would succeed in getting the consolidated amendment passed through the Parliament.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) responded positively to the proposed idea. “We will welcome any move which can develop consensus on this contentious issue,” said MQM MNA Wasim Akhtar. He added that the new consolidated amendment will also aim to address any legal lacunas in the dual nationality bill.
ANP who first proposed the idea on both houses of the parliament however refrained from commenting unless a breakthrough was achieved. “Though I’m not in picture regarding this new move but things should move ahead,” said ANP MNA Bushra Gohar.
Meanwhile officials in the ministry on Thursday said that an informal committee likely to be headed by Senior Cabinet Minister Syed Khurshid Shah will be given the task to win support of the ANP and MQM leaders for the new bill.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2012.