News
Monday, October 28, 2013
Senate takes up dual national judges’ issue today* Resolution to ask govt to publish names of dual national judges in superior judiciary
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The Senate will take up an important resolution today (Monday) to identify the judges in superior judiciary who have dual nationality.
The Upper House of parliament will assemble for its new session. The resolution, which is to be moved by Pakistan People’s Party’s Senator Farhatullah Babar, calls upon the government to publish the names of superior judiciary’s judges having dual nationality. “The resolution has significance in the wake of dual nationality issue and it is aimed at removing the ambiguity vis-a-vis the dual nationality of judges in superior judiciary,” Farhatullah Babar told Daily Times on Sunday. He recalled that previously when judges were asked in this regard they replied that constitution did not prohibit the judges from possessing dual nationality. However, when the judiciary stripped the dual national parliamentarians off their memberships “for not being loyal to the country” in view of taking oath of loyalty to another country, it is of paramount importance that they should also come clear on the issue of dual nationality.
Babar pointed out that constitution bars the parliamentarians from holding dual nationality, and armed forces also do not allow dual nationals in their ranks, whereas civil servants are also asked about it and allowed to join service when they surrender their foreign nationality. He clarified that the resolution would not be binding and will only recommend the government publish the names of dual national judges in superior judiciary.
Apart from the resolution on dual nationality of judges, the House will also take up the motion of Senator Babar for procedure laid down regarding the appointment of judges in superior courts. The resolution of senators Sughra Imam and Mohsin Khan Laghari seeks quota in government services reserved for the province of Punjab to be allocated on regional basis (north Punjab and south Punjab) in order to guarantee due share to the people of south Punjab in those services. Another resolution of Senator Sughra Imam seeks the inclusion of all water disputes of Pakistan with India in the composite dialogue or in any other dialogue process with the neighbouring country. A motion will be moved by PPP senators Raza Rabbani, Saeed Ghani, Moula Bux Chando and Saeed Iqbal seeking discussion on the protection and security of minorities of the country as required under the Article 25 of the constitution.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk