ISLAMABAD – A constitutional amendment bill was tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday seeking disqualification for a person to serve the government of Pakistan, as well being elected to the National or provincial assemblies in case he holds dual nationality and foreign accounts or assets. Introducing the bill called The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2011 (Insertion of new Article 63B), Raza Hayat Hiraj of the PML-Q said under the proposed amendment no person, having dual nationality, foreign accounts and property abroad, would be eligible for holding a public office or become a member of parliament or provincial assemblies.
He said the disqualification would be applied if an individual maintains an account in his name or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents of as the case may be, if he/she holds a dual nationality or has a permanent resident status of any other country whether in his own name or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents, as the case may be, if he/she holds an office of profit or interest in any company or organisation established in a foreign country or any in the name of his spouse, children or dependents of as the case may be, if he/she owns any property whether free hold, lease hold or even in the form of licence, assets, shares or any interest in any company based in foreign country, whether in his own name or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents, as the case may be, and if he/she carries out business including any commercial activity in any organisation or establishment based in a foreign country whether in his own name or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents, as the case may be.
In his statement of objects and reasons for the bill, Hiraj said the bill would eradicate misery of those underprivileged classes who were unaware of their association with their motherland. “The situation, once again necessitates that we should rise for the resurrection and fulfil the dream of Quaid-e-Azam and our ancestors. We should earn respect, not for ourselves but for Pakistan,” he added.
Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah said the bill had many technical flaws which needed to be addressed. However, he did not oppose the bill and it was referred to the standing committee concerned for consideration.
Shah assured the National Assembly that the service structure of engineers affiliated with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) would be reviewed after taking up the matter with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Responding to a calling attention notice raised by Ahsan Iqbal, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan regarding difficulties being faced by engineers due to their service structure and delay in the election of PEC, Shah said he would take up the matter with the prime minister and recommend reviewing the service structure for providing them better facilities. He requested Minister for Science and Technology Changez Khan Jamali to ensure holding of election for the new governing body of the PEC at the earliest.
Jamali expressed confidence that the election process would be completed by September 30.
Bill seeks bar on dual nationality holders
