NA panel rejects bill seeking to lift ban on dual nationals in Parliament
The amendment bill was tabled by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmaker SA Iqbal Qadri in the National Assembly during the previous NA session, and recommended to amend Article 63 of the Constitution to lift the bar on contesting parliamentary provincial assembly elections for dual nationals.
He said overseas Pakistanis were country’s assets, who have made significant contributions to the Pakistan economy through remittances; hence, any discriminatory law will be against the spirit of patriotism.
Headed by its chairman Chaudhry Bashir Virk, the standing committee's seven out of eight members, however, rejected the bill.
The law ministry in its brief presented to the committee contended that there may be case of conflict of interest in the case of a person who holds dual nationality.
There is not any bar on a person with dual nationality to cast vote in Pakistan; however, the situation of them contesting elections may not be conducive to good political order, the ministry added.
The law ministry also referred to Article 191 of the Indian Constitution, which says a person shall be disqualified as lawmaker if they have voluntarily acquired citizenship of a foreign state, or is under any acknowledgement of alliance or adherence to a foreign state.
The law ministry contended there is a large population of Indians all over the world, which is earning foreign exchange; yet, it does not allow dual nationals to contest parliamentary or state legislature elections.
The ministry recommended opposing the bill, as did members of political parties other than the MQM.
Human rights wing
Expressing its displeasure over the poor performance by the Human Rights wing, the committee asked it to pinpoint provincial, as well as federal laws, which are against fundamental rights.
Virk said the committee would review them and recommended for their amendments or repeal.
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