Apropos your editorial on Altaf Hussain’s highly objectionable and offensive speech, unbecoming of a citizen of Pakistan heading a political party, with a role to participate in legislation of laws etc. While addressing MQM sympathisers in Dallas, Texas, he called for intervention by NATO and Indian troops. I defy both Altaf Hussain, or any of his sympathisers holding US, Canadian or British passport to make such a statement calling upon armed forces of another nation to intervene and address their perceived hardships in USA, Canada etc and find out drastic repercussions of such a step.
The US oath of citizenship elaborates obligations of a citizen to their country, by pledging “absolutely and entirely renounce all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom, or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen: that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the USA against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the US when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the USA when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.”
It is time that people of Pakistan understand that those who have taken any foreign nationality, even if they retain their Pakistani passport, have already pledged on oath to renounce all allegiances which they previously held. As for Altaf Saheb, he let his Pakistan passport expire more than a decade ago. This clear conflict of interest requires for protecting national security and state sovereignty, dual nationals must never be allowed to head any political party, nor hold any constitutional public office, nor head any regulatory agency or financial institution of Pakistan.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Dubai, UAE