Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
By Tanveer Ahmed*
ISLAMABAD: The Private Members’ Day in parliament on Tuesday witnessed tabling of a bill by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Raza Hayat Hiraj seeking the disqualification of dual-nationality holders for the services of Pakistan, parliament as well as provincial assemblies.
Introducing the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2011 in the House, Hiraj said that under the proposed amendment no person possessing dual nationality, foreign accounts and property abroad would be eligible for holding a public office or becoming a member of parliament or provincial assemblies.
Federal Minister for Religious Minister, Syed Khursheed Shah, pointed out that the disqualification of a person for having foreign accounts needed to be defined correctly as one might have an account abroad in connection with educational pursuits and medical treatment. “The government has no objection, whatsoever, to the bill, because no member from the treasury side has any account in foreign countries,” he said.
“What the minister will say about the foreign accounts of President Asif Ali Zardari and the late PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto,” PML-Q’s Engineer Amir Muqam retorted. Earlier, Hiraj said that it was the defining moment to set the criteria for public officer holders. He called for making it mandatory for whosoever intending to join politics to come without foreign accounts or a property and a dual nationality. Acting Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi referred the bill to the standing committee concerned for consideration.
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
Good move or bill i must say...
We don't need anyone who is not PURE-BLOOD in the parliament making laws and policies for the people of Pakistan, what we have learned by experience is, these people normally have no clue about the reality on the ground and they simply try to replicate models from the west or any other society in Pakistan... hence utterly fails to deliver...
We need someone in the parliament who knows what it takes to travel by road using public transportation and who knows that it is near to impossible to plan and win against the public sentiments...
I think there should be another bill in the parliament that any Politicians or Govt Official having more than 50% of this business put side of Pakistan would automatically dis-qualify for his seat and/or position... this bill will have positive effect on the economy of Pakistan as it will even keep the looted money in the country, where the money would be invested in the local Pakistani companies...
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
Hanibal, having dual nationality doesn't necessarily mean that the person is not "pure blood". This move will seriously damage PTI, as most of their followers (and probably future candidates) are overseas pakistanis with dual nationalities. PPP and PML (A to Z) leaders will simply open accounts etc with chachai, maamai, family member's name and run elections as 100% made in and for Pakistan candidates.
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
Hanibal, having dual nationality doesn't necessarily mean that the person is not "pure blood". This move will seriously damage PTI, as most of their followers (and probably future candidates) are overseas pakistanis with dual nationalities. PPP and PML (A to Z) leaders will simply open accounts etc with chachai, maamai, family member's name and run elections as 100% made in and for Pakistan candidates.
If can be on two boats if you are going to run for Pakistan affairs, either you give up your other passions and serve Pakistan ( it is 24/7 job) or just carry on with your business outside Pakistan...
clearly, if i have business/monetary interest in USA/UK, it would be difficult for me to make any strategic move which is in benefit for Pakistan but is not beneficial for USA/UK and can undermine by business interest...so i would most likely compromise my decision... this is btw was said by Imran Khan... so PTI factor shold welcome the move...
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
I think there should be another bill in the parliament that any Politicians or Govt Official having more than 50% of this business put side of Pakistan would automatically dis-qualify for his seat and/or position... this bill will have positive effect on the economy of Pakistan as it will even keep the looted money in the country, where the money would be invested in the local Pakistani companies...
How are you going to enforce that? As UF pointed out, its not hard to put business on your son/daughter or someone elses name.
Btw, these are same MPs when filing financial statement with EC say they don't have cars, bank accounts or even are homeless (no joke).
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
It's a very noble notion, but not very practical. For this candidate will have to burn his boars before even filing his papers to election commission. This requires almost sacred dedication to the party. We can expect few pakistanis (in tens) to follow this notion but expecting that masses would do this is unrealistic.
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
How are you going to enforce that? As UF pointed out, its not hard to put business on your son/daughter or someone elses name.
Btw, these are same MPs when filing financial statement with EC say they don't have cars, bank accounts or even are homeless (no joke).
and people like NS getaway from taxes....
It is simple, there is no complication, the arena of politics is not there to make money or to take financial or any other benefits, if anyone sees it in this way, he better quit...
As i have said, i won't mind anyone having businesses/accounts out side of Pakistan provided they are less then 50% of what they have got in Pakistan and their foreign business shall be open and known to the people... failing to do so shall disqualify them from the contesting any such position...
How to do it:> if one declares his annual personal/business/family income Rs:100,000, but his means of living is beyond this declared income, then there is something fishy... Hamid Syed Kazmi the man who looted the Haji last year has been caught by adopting similar procedures... these procedures do exists, what we need is to implement them...
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
It's a very noble notion, but not very practical. For this candidate will have to burn his boars before even filing his papers to election commission. This requires almost sacred dedication to the party. We can expect few pakistanis (in tens) to follow this notion but expecting that masses would do this is unrealistic.
No it won't, e.g. if my business is to bid in for govt. tenders, for sure i'll make my things ready all the time, i.e., Audit Reports, Educational, Professional and Technical capabilities etc... and if i know i am going to contest for elections then all of these should be prepared and investigated by the parties themselves well before the date of submitting these documents...
BTW IK, moved all his businesses and assets to Pakistan before asking others to do so....
The best part would be that masses would not try to contest and only few who thinks about Pakistan would contest and prepare all these...
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
Well if its only directed to people seeking to work in parliament I agree with it, but if its people to work in Pakistan government jobs I disagree with it as we will lose a lot of talented people by that! look at where Canada, Australia and other countries have gone using people of other countries and we are denying our own citizens to work for their own country! people from dual nationalities can be used as an asset as they have foreign qualifications and experience, India and China as we see now have been helped by their expats especially when they returned to their homeland after spending a few years overseas
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
many expats go to other countries to earn some experience and in the meanwhile get the passport; with a plan to return back to their country after some years, this way we will effectvely close our doors to them. So they'd better go to middle east to work instead of trying to return to Pakistan.
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
^^ There is no doubt that these expats are loaded with tons of experience and exposure... they can still advise the govt. by forming advisory companies or something of that sort... but the experience of bringing back the expat to run the govt offices and ministries have given us kinds of Moin Qureshi, SHokat Aziz, and Rehman Malik...
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
I know from where you are coming and I agree with you regarding parliamentary positions but If it is extended to government jobs then we could lose experts especially doctors who are experienced and have western experience
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
I know from where you are coming and I agree with you regarding parliamentary positions but If it is extended to government jobs then we could lose experts especially doctors who are experienced and have western experience
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
I think this law is quite sensible and need of the country. In my opinion, there should be law that anyone holding public offices (politicians, defence personals, bureaucrats, or people in government administration ... excluding professionals in health and educational departments) should not hold dual nationality or monetary interest outside Pakistan. Further, their wife and children (under 25) should also not hold any monetary interest outside Pakistan more than $20,000 (individually).
Actually government should make it criminal offence if anyone breaks above law, prosecuting the person on charges of fraudulently obtaining or holding posts in public office. Punishment should be, sacking from job, confiscating assets above declared asset, and 6 month prison sentence or appropriate fine that should be related to their declared assets (in percentage term).
Government should also make law that everyone in public office should declare their assets every year, and also report whenever there is substantial change in their assets (asset increases or decreases 20 percent of their last declared asset).
I think to implement such law would not be difficult. Governments hold plenty of information regarding their nationals plus government can take help from other involved governments too. Grievance party would also help. Though if someone gets away than be it, as criminals everywhere do get away with crimes they commit. Anyhow, if they get caught then they should get punished severely.
As reputation in political post is important, law should be that anyone holding political post should sue accuser in media (by journalists, presenters or people present in programs) accusing them of any crime (financial or otherwise), else accusation should be regarded as truth making government act on those accusations. Government should also make law that wrong accusation in media (by journalists, presenters or people present in programs) should carry exemplary punishment (minimum 12 months in prison plus appropriate fine of at least 10 percent of accuser’s known wealth to go to accused).
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
It makes sense for high ranking offices but I am not so sure for all of govt. I guess Pakistan is trying to imitate india, but then india doesn't allow dual nationalism in the first place.
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
It makes sense for high ranking offices but I am not so sure for all of govt. I guess Pakistan is trying to imitate india, but then india doesn't allow dual nationalism in the first place.
Which low ranking government officer would hold dual nationality and assets outside the country, unless the guy is big time corrupt in revenue department. :)
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
I never understood why so many countries allow dual or multi nationalities.I guess it is a sign of trust.
Prohibiting foreign accounts is an extreme measure but looking at the type of corruption in India and how foreign accounts enable that, I am not sure if I will continue to be against opposition of such a prohibition
Re: Bill seeks removal of dual nationals from govt service, parliament
What an insane comment. Makes my and blood of 1000s of Pakistanis overboard "impure"
We don't need anyone who is not PURE-BLOOD
I can understand if the bill bars dual nationals from being President, PM, CM or for that matter Minister to stop imported PMs like Shaukat Aziz and Moin Qureshi but simply banning them from running an election, BS.
Similarly, many of the highly trained, educated and experienced professionals normally have dual citizenship which they might have acquired while working aboard.