ISLAMABAD: In a landmark development, the federal cabinet has cleared a proposal to grant permission to dual nationals to contest elections in Pakistan.
The political pundits take this decision as a landmark development which, in their views, will have far-reaching positive impact on Pakistan’s politics, besides strengthening bond of overseas Pakistanis with their motherland.
Permission to dual nationals to contest elections in Pakistan has been a long outstanding demand of overseas Pakistanis. The federal cabinet’s nod for the proposed amendment could be a great source of solace for overseas Pakistani and at the same time it will create a sense of acknowledging their contribution for the country they were doing in the form of remittances. Overseas Pakistanis serve as a backbone in strengthening Pakistan’s economy by sending around $ 12 to 15 billion even more in remittances every year. However, they had developed strong feelings that bar on their contesting elections in Pakistan was like denying their role and contribution back home.
Since permission to allow dual nationals to contest elections in Pakistan requires an amendment in the constitution, the government would have to take opposition in parliament on board for ensuring required number of votes in the both the houses—senate and national assembly—to get passed the constitutional amendment. The government and its allied parties do not have one third majority in parliament for getting amendment in the constitution passed.
Currently, article 63 clause C of the constitution demands of dual nationals to surrender nationality before submitting papers with the Election Commission of Pakistan for contesting any election in Pakistan. With going through the proposed amendment in article 63 of the constitution, dual nationals would have permission to contest elections in Pakistan. However, in case of winning the elections, they would be required to surrender foreign nationality before taking oath of their membership.
Raja Javed, Chairman Peace International, Uk and a prominent political analyst, takes the development as a landmark and hopes all political parties in Pakistan will support the amendment to grant dual nationals permission to contest elections in their homeland.
“Its great development and once it translates into the law, it will fulfill long outstanding demand of overseas Pakistanis”, Raja Javed commented.
Rashid Hasan, a prominent Canadian-Pakistani businessman, calls it as a big step towards bringing real democracy in Pakistan. He urged upon all the political parties to join hands in parliament to endorse the proposed amendment to the constitution to give a joint message to overseas Pakistani that they give them due respect and acknowledge their role in progress and prosperity of the country. “I am happy to learn that overseas Pakistanis are going to get their basic right to contest elections in Pakistani soon”, Rashid Hasan said in his telephonic conversation with NEWSMAN from Canada.
