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Summary PILDAT has demanded the constitutional provision to ban dual nationals from contesting election.
In view of the news reports that the Parliament may consider amendment to the Constitution to allow for foreign/dual nationals to contest election to become members of Parliament, PILDAT has demanded that such an amendment should not be considered and that article 63-1-c of the 1973.Constitution must be retained in its present form.Criticizing the move, as reported in the media, PILDAT has demanded that only citizens of Pakistan must be qualified to represent the people in the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan.Outlining the reasons for retaining the Constitutional bar on being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Parliament for those who either “cease to be the citizens of Pakistan or acquire the citizenship of a foreign state,” PILDAT has stated that under international law, countries are not obliged to recognize dual nationality.Another argument against allowing dual nationals to become public representatives in Pakistan is that nationality of another country is usually obtained as a convenient means of attaining improved economic opportunity, which Pakistani law recognises. In essence, however, it trivializes what it means to be a citizen of Pakistan.Dual nationals’ fate is not tied to the fate of Pakistan and therefore allowing them to be put in the driving seat of making policy decisions of Pakistan can be detrimental to the interests of Pakistan. When the going gets tough inPakistan, Pakistani citizenship can be just as easily discarded when it is no longer beneficial.Legitimate recognition for the role of overseas Pakistanis and their respect cannot be synonymous with granting them with a right to represent the people of Pakistan. It must also be noted that mainly (over 58 % in 2010-11) remittances are sent from Pakistanis residing in the Middle East, a vast majority of whom are NOT dual nationals.Pakistanis living overseas, dual nationality holders and those residing in the AJK together constitute only 4.7 million voting adults according to the number of NICOP holders at present. These 4.7 million already have a right to vote in Pakistan.PILDAT has also demanded that, as provided under the Representation of People Act, the ECP should initiate the formal process for candidates in the next General Election to declare if they hold the status of permanent residence, such as the US green card, in any country other than Pakistan.
