Arguments for and against
The Supreme Court’s suspension of Farahnaz Ispahani’s membership of parliament on the basis of her dual-nationality has stirred up the all-too familiar feeling of persecution of the ruling party.
But that is far from the truth. For one thing, it is not only the ruling party that has a thing or two to say about the issue but many other parties as well. For having dual-national members is not something restricted to the PPP alone. Hypernationalist parties like the PTI have also, recently, made a case against disbarring such individuals from contesting the polls.
The argument that these parties give is understandable but ultimately flawed. They treat overseas Pakistanis as assets, which they undoubtedly are. They also explain how it would be difficult to be very successful abroad, as a number of them are, without being nationals of these newer countries. Not allowing these people to contest the polls would be tantamount to disenfranchising this valued demographic.
Well, let’s not throw words around. Disenfranchisement would not be giving them the right to vote – though there is a case against that as well. Here, it is an issue of whether these individuals have the right to be representatives.
There can be a varying number of issues here. For instance, in the constitution, an MP hopeful need not be a resident of a constituency to contest elections from there; his/her proposer and seconder need to be. Why, then, should a candidate who actually lives in a constituency but happens to have the nationality of another country be disbarred?
The answers to these questions lie in deep rooted ideas of who qualifies as a committed and loyal citizen of the Republic. At the time of acquiring a new nationality, a foreign national renounces, in a manner of speaking, his original nationality. That doesn’t sit well with those seeking a sincere leadership for the country. If, in the art of the possible, candidates can’t be bothered enough to change nationalities, they could scarcely be expected to sit through in a country when the going gets really tough.
Those who hold dual nationality may have a right to vote, but should never be allowed to contest election, or hold any public office of importance, where decisions are made which affect the destiny of Pakistan and where they have no real stakes. No American, or Indian , or Iranian, or UK citizen by birth has a right to contest elections, nor hold any representative public office, neither any paid public office if he/ she takes up another nationality.
Your statement requires clarification. To get German Citizenship, a Pakistani has to renounce its Paksitani Citizenship while for UK /USA facility exists to have dual nationality. The countries you referring treat that way even if some one has dual nationality or is restricted only to those who renounce their original citizensheip? Can you please clarify for better understanding.
I tend to disagree, They should only be bared to hold any office linked to national security of any kind defence, cabinet etc. Just like anyother countries, any citizen national/or not national who can vote can also contest in elections!
Dual nationality is allowed under Pakistan law and made agreements with several countries for such. A Pakistani national of any kind should have right to vote and contest in all modes of elections.
People who think dual nationals will not be sincere, are very wrong, they love Pakistan more than their adopted homelands, for many its only a travel document.
Many who loot and plunder and back in pakistan in good times are the culprits and giving bad names to all overseas Pakistanis, who give 14 billion $ per year, just compare it with 1.5 billion per year aid we get from USA and so much begging!
A green card is not nationality but a resident permit, so person will not be dual national, same goes for UK and other countries. How would you stop such people, and many will exploit this if the ban is imposed!
However, if they rise to such position that threat to national security, by all means give them chance to choose one country and surrender other nationality!
@ Zubair Khan—If a an American who acquired his citizenship because of birth, later opts for another nationality say a British nationality, he takes an oath of allegiance and loyalty to UK revoking his loyalty to any other country of which he had been previously a national. When a Pakistani national opts for US, or Canadian, or any other nationality he pledges an oath of loyalty overriding any other oath of loyalty that he might have taken before. This is why such a person should never hold any public office in Pakistan, while he may be eligible to hold an elected public office in USA, for which country he has pledged loyalty.
@ Malik Tariq, very good explanation.
Just evaluate the background of any public sector corporation like PIA which has gone in losses and you will find that all of those responsible for its destruction have one thing in common–DUAL NATIONALITY–from Capt Aijaz Haroon, Copilot Obaid Jatoi, DMD Saleem Sayani, DMD Imran Ahmed to former DFO Shuja to Director Stores Khalid Intikkar etc etc.
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