This shouldn’t come as a surprise. There are two things most Pakistanis take for granted at birth: our religion and our citizenship. We’re a nation that is born into patriotism and religiosity. These two ‘behind the scenes’ but influential pillars of our subliminal personality manifest themselves in ways that are detrimental to furthering our collective interest. This is why dual nationals are everyone’s favourite punching bag these days. Unfortunately, the media is leading the charge to ‘expose’ dual nationals and their ‘duplicity’. Recently, I saw a report on a news channel that condemned dual nationals working at a government institution, questioning their commitment to the country, even though their actual job description and tasks aren’t compromised by a dual nationality. If anything, Pakistan could use talented, highly qualified individuals to reverse the ‘brain drain’ we so fiercely condemn. Instead, it appears that we’ve launched a witch-hunt against dual nationals, questioning their loyalty, despite their decision to return home and work when many Pakistanis would do the opposite, if they had the choice.
As a ‘pure blood’ Pakistani citizen (i.e., not a dual national), I’m appalled by the increasingly xenophobic nature of Pakistani society. To be brutally honest, there’s no point in living in Pakistan if you want to avoid problems in life. On the other hand, if you love solving complex problems and want to live a life of meaning, while contributing to society, there’s no place better than Pakistan to call home as the scale of the country’s challenges will inspire you to live life to the fullest.
If there’s one silver lining to the sheer scale of challenges Pakistan faces, it’s that every one of us has the potential to rewrite human history by attempting to make a difference in society within our sphere of influence. The Pakistani people are frontline warriors in the greatest ideological battles of the 21st century. Whether it’s the war against religious extremism or the definitive showdown between democracy and entrenched dictatorship, Pakistanis will play an outsized role in shaping not just their own future, but also a new, post-9/11 world order.
Instead of using this as an opportunity to create a life full of meaning, most Pakistani middle- and upper-class folks — who can actually make a difference in society — are content with criticising the government and living happily in their DHA bubble. This, too, wouldn’t be so bad if they chose not to criticise folks who are trying to make a difference, i.e., dual nationals (among others). One can argue that all dual nationals may not have pure intentions but that argument shouldn’t be used to question the loyalties of all dual nationals. If questioning the patriotism of others is the only way we have to prove the strength of our own patriotism, then we have bigger problems than dual nationals running amok in our country.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (13)
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@Strategic Asset: Sir, you claim that, "I never applied for a green card in the US even though I was offered thrice...." I thought you have to apply for a green card which authorizes its holder to live and work in the United States of America on a permanent basis. Isn't it? If so, then it'd mean that you applied not once or twice but three times to be granted this status and a Green Card as a proof that you its holder were a lawful permanent resident and were officially granted immigration benefits. Is that right, do I understand it correct, sir?
Pakistan Nationality Act 1951 allows dual nationality (s/u 14(3)) to its nationals in 16 countries. Thus, dual nationals have not committed any crime against the State of Pakistan by becoming a dual national. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has made an error in its judgement in interpetation of section 63 (c) of the Constition of Pakistan. Dual nationals have not ceased to be Pakistani or acquired Foreign nationality outside the law of Pakistan. Overseas Pakistani is not to be confused with dual nationals. Some overseas Pakistani may have acquired Foreign nationality, where Pakistan has no dual nationality agreement and there I agree with the Supreme Court in not allowing foreign nationals to become paqrt of Pakistan government. Every citizen of Pakistan needs to protect the Constitution of Pakistan, from men in power. The Fundamental Rights have been marched upon by the Supreme Court, without any regards to the Constitution or our international obligation under Artical 25 of the Internationaql Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Treaty.
The concept of dual nationality is a flawed one IMO.
It means nothing really. I studied in France and could have become a French national with ease,but i chose to return and build my very successful company
What real purpose would DN serve ?
@Strategic Asset: Your comment is lacking sense. Although I thank you for the mudslinging at the end, very mature.
The basic concept of dual nationality is flawed. Many countries including India do not subscribe to it. There is absolutely nothing wrong in one wanting to better ones position in life and acquire the nationality of another country but keeping one foot in one boat and the other in another is simply wrong. What stops you from doing good for your birth country even if you are a citizen of another country ? The answer is nothing stops you.
There is no problem of dual nationality of Pakistan s professionals like doctors engineers,scientists and educationalists etc if they hold two passports,it is the problem of politicians holding two nationalities who rob the country s wealth when in power and transfer it abroad.
Bilal, Thanks for writting this.
@Strategic Asset: I dont see the point of your comment. No offence
I have dual nationality and I thank Allah for it as of all his blessings its the best one so far. I can live , work , earn in Europe freely and has its previllages . it doesn't make me less patriotic to Pakistan as some people especially imran khan thinks. So far none of the blasts , sabotage in p Pakistan are done by dual nationals but by the are done by the self proclaimed patriots and single nationals of Pakistan. Its so strange that dual national as ate bad as in one of the emails but their remittances keep the economy afloat. Imran khan does niot think pot them as bad when he comes for donation collection to them but in political gatherings curses them openly.grow up Pakistan before its too late.
Thank you! I'm a dual citizen and I love Pakistan more than anything in the world and hope to use the education I've gained from my second home and help my first one.
you cant have the best of both worlds. I am a dual national myself.
@Strategic Asset:
What was the point of the comment? You did not apply for US citizenship because you don’t want to be second class citizen of 1st class country but still prefer to live in US or lived there for long time? That very ironic, isn’t it? So much so, your son is US citizen.
Your son wants to play IPL may not necessarily be because of patriotism. He is following your footsteps. He is going where the money is.
I prefer people who call home a country where they make a living. With dual nationality, you can still keep your roots.
The reason india did not allow dual nationality is because of its large sikh community living in Canada. In 90s there were suspected of funding and supporting sikh separatist movement of india,
India these days having honey moon with US. Wait until you see real friendship of US. Welcome to US friendship club.
Dual citizens are bad and unpatriotic, but patriotic Pakistanis still dont pay taxes, obey law, stop using their friends and families connections. Its just a way of dealing with hypocrisy.
@Author: A vacuous article. Nevertheless I will put in my personal experience. . I have grappled with citizenship since I went to the US in the late 90s. I never applied for a green card in the US even though I was offered thrice as I had the belief that "It is better to be a first-class citizen of a second-grade country than be a second-class citizen of a first-grade country". As most Indians know, it is not exactly a bed of roses living abroad and I will not blame the US in any way for it. . On the other hand, my son is a US citizen living in India. Him being of a tender age, his dreams revolve around playing in the IPL and/or the Indian cricket team. I told him that it is easier to get into the US cricket team than the Indian team, but he so far is hellbent on proving me wrong. . What a sea change a generation makes! When I was in the US a long time ago, I used to curse myself that others such as Pakistanis could get dual-nationality whereas Indians couldn't. But now I see the error in my ways. . Regarding the rest of your article, Pakistan being a frontline state, etc., I hope you read your own writing because it contains zero substance. Pakistan has zero role to play in the world except a nuisance value post 2014 and it will go worse than Iran.