Fresh push: Govt crafts new plan for dual nationals
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.
COMMENTS (17)
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Maybe overseas Pakistani's will have a different approach to various issues. Because they have lived abroad they can see how issues are tackled by their country of residence.
If I were to become a lawmaker I would ensure;
All lawmakers file tax returns and declare assets (both in Pakistan & abroad). No dual national law maker to leave Pakistan during there tenure unless for a state visit. Also not allowed to leave Pakistan for 10 years following their tenure. Push for privatisation PIA and other loss making state enterprises. Set up an ombudsman for banks, utilities, real estate companies, public transport and Passport/ID card offices. Make sure their is accountability. Ask courts to clear back log of all pending cases. Make sure multi national companies pay their due taxes Elite people to declare all assets, if they are unable to do so then these assets to be taken and sold at auction..
Mirza I was just clarifying what the article said as many of the comments appeared to have mis understood it (especially the one that said dual nationals cannot sit in parliament as law-makers - a point which is irrelevant the law). How can a clarification be considered a muddying of the waters? Separately, for those who ask "which country allows such a course", while referring, incorrectly, to dual nationals sitting in parliament (which is not going to be allowed even under the proposed law) the most obvious answer is the United Kingdom; where dual citizens are allowed to be Members of the House of Commons (and I believe there are actually a few Pakistani dual nationals in UK parliament). In fact, I believe UK law goes so far as to allow any citizen of the commonwealth to be a member of UK parliament as long as they are able to reside in the UK. Nonetheless, the proposal being discussed would not allow people to hold office without renouncing their second nationality and that's fine as well; there are some reasonable arguments to disallow it. But to equate acquiring a second citizenship with "abandoning one's country" or not being "loyal" to Pakistan is myopic and flawed. If anything, those who have the right to work anywhere in the world and instead choose to live and work in Pakistan are, in a sense, doubly loyal. As for looters being able to run away they can get indefinite visas in any country in return for money and thats what they do and have done. Pervaiz Musharraf is not a dual national, Nawaz Sharif is not, nor was BB. Yet they easily live abroad whenever needed.
PPP and MQM are desperately trying to keep their foreign nationals in government, at Pakistani taxpayers expense!
This is a very sensible and fair solution to the problem. All govt employs that are on public payroll should follow the same rules. What is good for the goose is good for the gander! There should be an equality and fairness before any and all appointment.
Let me ask you a question, how many dual nationals stole Pakistani treasures and deposited in the US banks? Do you know that being a dual national you are not going to commit crime especially when it comes to money laundering, simply because the US law and enforcement agencies will track you a put you in jail with multiple charges. You know it is easy to commit a crime and steal resources when you are ONLY Pakistani citizen. Not convinced? Just visit Pakistan from Khyber to Karachi and see for yourself how many folks are honest to their nation?
Dude, go to the ID card office, go to the driver license office, go to the airport, immigration, police, etc, they act like Italian mafia. Ask them if they are dual national?
You don’t have to be dual national to become Mir Sadiq and Mir Jaffar, you don’t have to be a dual national to re-sell this nation [that is already sold]. Your generals and politicians are not dual national and yet they made this country a fish market.
The only hope Pakistani have is your dual national and oversea folks, they are honest, professional and committed to this nation. They deserve this right
So would this translate to mean that loyality to the country only extends to winning a seat in the election. If they win they would need to relinquish their foreign nationality and if they lose they get to keep their foreign nationality.
@Assad: I did read it!
Eligibility conditions should apply before the race begins, not at the finish line. . Stop muddying the waters. You are part of the problem.
If a dual national wins the election, he has to renounce his foreign nationality to become a law maker.Why allow him to fight an election in the first place?
And still we have cynics thinking that the current ruling elite will pull us out of this quagmire of economic downturn, insecurity, injustice etc that they have pushed us into. Exploiting brinkmanship and dilatory tactics to accomplish their goals. their " we-will-get-our-way-by-hook-or-by-crook" attitude has damaged every core institute of this country. People find it mentally challenging to choose whats right or wrong. My friends don't want to talk about whats happening in our country. The thought of bringing this new amendment to ease the way for dual nationals to contest election is nothing short of a tight slap in the face not only public but as well as any public office holder including armed forces. Could you imagine if Pakistan armed forces would allow any foreign national to serve under Pakistan Army. Could a foreign national represent Pakistan at Olympics for instance: or at any world forum. its a simple "No Way". Then how on earth people of Pakistan could allow this bill to be passed is beyond my comprehension. its just goes to how dead this nation is.....
Did you people even read the article? It says those who win elections would be required to give up second nationality before taking oath... Most of what everyone is saying is totally irrelvant
Stop destroying the basic concept of Pakistan and being a Pakistani, you are doing this just to benefit a few elite individuals who have chosen to dilute there patriotism and have no concern for a better Pakistan, you and your PPP and those who support this have already done enough harm to the very existence of our country and this will shake its foundations...what sort of characterless human being you and your higher ups are...God please save us from these ruthless people
People who do not pay taxes now want to compromise the sovereignty. This bill should never be passed
This is political horse trading. People who have chosen to abandon their country should not have this choice.
What is the big issue? Why is the PPP-the party founded with so much passion and nationalism giving up on its ideals?
No duel national should be allowed to contest election, hold elected office or become part of the public services. Tell me of a country that allows such a course?
You have to be kidding me!
Don't talk crap Naek. This is totally against the basic idea of sovereignty.
This clause was placed in the Constitution by Z. A. Bhutto and he knew what he was doing. This so called PPP government is turning cartwheels to undo this just to please the MQM and certain half-Pakistanis. This is immoral and wrong. A dual national can not sit in Parliament as a law maker.