EC declares dual nationality holders ineligible to contest polls

[VCheng]

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There are 8 million Pakistanis living abroad and many have dual nationality, instead of wlecoming these people into Pakistan, the GoP and Nawaz Sharif has come out with this nonsense to discourage them from making a difference in Pakistan.

It has been a de facto policy for a long time to take all the money expats can provide without giving them any say or power, regardless of what the law says, and so shall it remain, right or wrong.

 

[p4kistan]

The constitution needs to be re-written to cater for dual nationals, according to the articles stated in the constitution half of the politician wouldn't have any right to be elected.

I think the electoral commision needs to intiate investigations as to who holds dual nationality and bar them from politics. The current robbers in power have influenced this decision, overseas pakistanis are a force to be reckoned with. I think we should all stop remittances for a month or two, lets see if that will have any effect on these pen pushers.

 

[Fracker]

Absolute nonsense. It is sad to see some of the intelligent members are actually supporting this law.

Law should be that a dual national have to sign an affidavit saying that if he/ she is elected to the Parliament or accepts a govt. service then, he/ she will follow all laws of Pakistan and in all cases only Pakistani law and jurisdiction will apply. This statement is valid in all matters which are related to the state of Pakistan.

Dual national Pakistanis are an asset as they send billions of dollars to Pakistan. They deserve better!!

What about those scientists who want to work in Pakistan?

Most of the corrupt Pakistanis don't have dual nationality because they don't need to have dual nationality!!! They have enough money and power to live in Pakistan and get away with murder.

The purpose of this law is to punish overseas Pakistanis for supporting Musharraf and Imran Khan.

I don't see anything wrong in this, since only pure Pakistani will be allowed to lead Pakistan. While scientist, business mans, and other Pakistani who send money to Pakistan are ok, they can retain dual nationality. But to lead the nation you need to be Just Pakistani, and give away you other nationalities. Simple and straight forward.

Also, Musharaf first needs to come back before even considering himself to be the part this political system. And IK will not be hurt since most of the young age people are support his party, and those are who are studying in colleges, universities etc.

PML-N and PPP are the one who will get hurt most because of this rule since their most established politicians, future hopes are dual nationals.

 

[Sugarcane]

Dair aay durust aay.

 

[p4kistan]

pure Pakistani will be allowed to lead Pakistan.

Can you please define pure pakistani? You're trying to imply that you're some how a better pakistani than those who hold dual nationality. You need to get of your high horse son, i am a pure pakistani and wish to be involved in future elections wherever i may be in the world at that time

 

[moha199]

ok greencard is a permanent residence card, if you work anywhere in world you have to submit taxes in USA in the end of the year, if USA goes to war, then the president of the day can call all greencard holders along with american citizens for war, basically they will also have to serve!!!!!! when you go to USA you have one lane which says Greencard/US citizens this lane rest 1,2,3 and on ward

Correct me if I am wrong but I think green card comes under 'Permanent residence' visa and is different to nationality.

 

[scrumpy]

ok greencard is a permanent residence card, if you work anywhere in world you have to submit taxes in USA in the end of the year, if USA goes to war, then the president of the day can call all greencard holders along with american citizens for war, basically they will also have to serve!!!!!! when you go to USA you have one lane which says Greencard/US citizens this lane rest 1,2,3 and on ward

I would think that Greencard holders would loose their Green Card if they choose to contest elections in another country as they would be deemed to be residents of the country in which they are contesting the elections and so no longer residents of the US. You need to maintain residency else you will loose the status of being permanent resident.

Dual nationality is actually a good concept and I wish the Indian government accepts it too. However the Indian Government/People still fear that people with loyalty to another country could end up with power thereby allowing recolonisation of the country. I think disallowing dual nationality holders from contesting elections is a good compromise.

In India, I as a non resident am not even allowed to vote in the elections. The PM did suggest recently that this will change. The OCI card now being issues is equivalent to dual nationality in all but name.

 

[longbrained]

Is this move even constitutional? I mean is there any thing in constitution that bars it. And when the biggest export of Pakistan is human resources and while the remittances are the biggest foreign exchange earnings of Pakistan, why these Pakistanis can not have a say in the government? For God's sake they do not even allow Pakistanis abroad to vote. It is not fair. They just get the money.

 

[Sugarcane]

Is this move even constitutional? I mean is there any thing in constitution that bars it. And when the biggest export of Pakistan is human resources and while the remittances are the biggest foreign exchange earnings of Pakistan, why these Pakistanis can not have a say in the government? For God's sake they do not even allow Pakistanis abroad to vote. It is not fair. They just get the money.

Dude - I think there is no bar on casting vote, you have to register your want and have to go back to cast your vote. Me and some of my friends have made commitment that in next election we will go to cast our vote.

This move is to stop dual nationals to contest in poll - main theme is you must have all your stakes in country if you want to lead. If someone really want to serve country than he should be ready even to give life of country.

 

[Fracker]

Can you please define pure pakistani? You're trying to imply that you're some how a better pakistani than those who hold dual nationality. You need to get of your high horse son, i am a pure pakistani and wish to be involved in future elections wherever i may be in the world at that time

Baby, i never meant Pure Pakistani as blood or ethicity. I meant the people holding just Pakistani Passport, there is less possibility for them to run away with Pakistani nation's money. We don't care how better pakistani you are when you run away from pakistani when found better opportunity in UK. If you want to lead this nation then come back and remove your other nationalities.

Ps: as i know UK don't allow dual nationality, so you might be Pakistani or British. Can't be both so stop crying on this rule.

 

[moha199]

I would think that Greencard holders would loose their Green Card if they choose to contest elections in another country as they would be deemed to be residents of the country in which they are contesting the elections and so no longer residents of the US. You need to maintain residency else you will loose the status of being permanent resident.
.

no my friend it doesn't work this way at least for Pakistani politicians it doesn't work that way lol. We have almost 60-90 greencard holder/US citizens in Pakistani politics and elected members from Parliament. these people go to UK USA every 3-6 months if you haven't noticed?

 

[TruthSeeker]

I don't understand the possibility of dual nationality for Pakistanis. Can a Pakistani citizen hold a valid passport from a second nation? I thought that in the case of the USA, the USA only recognizes one passport: either the USA passport or an "alien" passport, but not more than one. Is this not the case in Pakistan???

 

[VCheng]

I don't understand the possibility of dual nationality for Pakistanis. Can a Pakistani citizen hold a valid passport from a second nation? I thought that in the case of the USA, the USA only recognizes one passport: either the USA passport or an "alien" passport, but not more than one. Is this not the case in Pakistan???

Wrong. USA permits dual nationalities.