News
Monday, May 28, 2012
PM backs MPs with dual nationalities* Gilani says Dr Shakeel Afridi should get right to challenge conviction in higher courts
* Talks on resumption of NATO supplies underway
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Sunday there was no restriction on dual citizenship in the constitution and that he was in favour of expatriate Pakistanis getting right to vote and becoming members of parliament.
Speaking on a private TV channel, he said that more than 300 councillors, mayors and members of the House of Commons and House of Lords in Britain were Pakistanis.
“There should be a debate on the issue of dual citizenship and parliament should decide on the issue and legislate as the world has changed,” he said and added that the expatriate Pakistanis should not be deprived of their right to become members of parliament and voters in Pakistan.
The prime minister said that nowhere in the constitution was written that Pakistanis could not hold dual citizenship and could not become legislators and bureaucrats.
“I am in favour of it that Pakistanis should have right to vote and become members of parliament,” he said.
He said the law and constitution were not made for individuals and one had to look at the situation in the country and the world.
“What will happen if Britain abolishes the citizenship of Lord Nazir Ahmed?” he asked.
Gilani said Pakistani citizens all over the world had the right to having a dual citizenship.
Commenting on the issue of Dr Shakeel Afridi, he said the doctor should be given right to defend himself in higher courts according to law.
He said Dr Afridi’s actions were wrong, but he should get justice through courts.
About Pakistan-US relations, he said talks were continuing between the two countries on the reopening of NATO supply line.
The prime minister said relations of countries should not be based on an incident but on solid grounds.
He said the federal government had added more than 3,500 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and was working on long, medium and short-term projects to resolve the energy crisis.
He said the Punjab government had not added a single megawatt to the national grid. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk