Senate session: MQM moves bill for amending Article 63

Mashhadi presses for an overhaul of dual nationality clause; ECP criticised for failing to protect political parties.

ISLAMABAD:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday moved a bill in the Senate, seeking changes in Article 63 of the Constitution. 

The bill, titled “Constitution Amendment Act, 2013”, was moved by MQM’s Senator Col (retd) Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi and was later referred to the standing committee of law and justice for further consideration.

According to the statement of objects and reasons, the mover sought an amendment in Article 63(1)(c), to lift the constitutional bar on dual nationals from becoming members of parliament.

The section 63(1)(c) in its original form maintained that a person will be disqualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of parliament if he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan, or acquires the citizenship of foreign state.

Following the judgment of the apex court, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified more than 11 nomination papers of former parliamentarians in this regard.

Mashhadi was of the view that many countries permitted dual nationals to exercise their right to vote as well as run for parliamentary elections.

He maintained that overseas Pakistanis were deeply concerned with the events in the country and were keen to play an effective role in national politics.

“Through amendment in Article 63 (1)(c), the constitutional bar on the dual nationality holders to be members of the parliament is being lifted,” Mashhadi maintained.

ECP attacked

Political parties also expressed their fear and frustration with the Senate, saying they were being victimised and threatened by the Taliban while campaigning for elections. They criticised the caretaker government for its failure to provide security to candidates.

Speaking on a point of order, Awami National Party (ANP) leader Haji Muhammad Adeel said the candidates of his party are facing difficulties while campaigning for polls. He asked the caretaker government for providing security to the candidates being victimised.

Caretaker minister for law, justice and parliamentary affairs, Ahmer Bilal Soofi, told political parties that their concerns will be discussed in the cabinet meeting and if needed, the ECP and the Supreme Court will be duly informed to take notice of their issues.

Mashadi moved a motion in the house to debate the law and order situation during the elections. He pointed out that  Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) candidates had been targeted in broad daylight and one of the party’s candidates was assassinated in Hyderabad.

“The only mandate of the caretaker setup is to ensure free and fair general elections and provide security to the candidates, but the caretaker government is not focusing on its responsibilities,” he said. Later, MQM members walked out from the house marking their protest over the law and order situation in the country.

PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar also expressed reservations over the security of the candidates. He said his party is also receiving threats from the terrorists and they are scared of campaigning.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.