Prime Minister Gilani speaks in favor of dual nationality

In an apparent confrontation between executive and judiciary, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani decided to defend the former at any case.

While speaking to a private TV channel, the premier extended his support to parliamentarians, saying that there was no restriction on dual nationality in the Constitution of Pakistan.

He observed, “Except the prime minister, all lawmakers in United States, United Kingdom and other European countries are allowed to hold dual nationality. Pakistanis all over the world have the right to dual-nationality”.

He further said that what would happen if the membership of Lord Nazir would be suspended over the dual nationality.

He also mentioned the examples of over 300 councilors, mayors and members of House of Commons and House of Lords in Britain who were Pakistanis. He elucidated that nowhere in the constitution was it written that Pakistanis couldn’t hold dual nationality and become legislators and bureaucrats.

On Saturday, the Supreme Court during the hearing of the dual-nationality case had suspended the membership of Farahnaz Ispahani, the wife of former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani, as she held the US citizenship.

The court had also given Interior Minister Rehman Malik till May 30 to submit a certificate quitting his British nationality.

Replying to a query, the premier said Dr. Shakil Afridi has right to defend himself in the higher courts under the law of the land. Although the action performed by Dr Afridi was unlawful, he should be allowed to contest his case in local courts.

The convicted doctor was a CIA spy who helped them in locating Al-Qaida Chief Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad.

Dr. Shakil Afridi was sentenced to 33 years by a tribal court in Khyber Agency for violating the law of the land.

Commenting on the closed land route for allied forces battling in Afghanistan, he said that talks were under process with the American administration.

Islamabad had blocked NATO supply line to Afghanistan following NATO attack on Salala check posts that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=23637

Posted by Faisal Farooq on May 28 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.