N a rare show of public disagreement over proposed legislation, members
of the ruling coalition, and even of the PPP itself, have spoken out
against the dual nationality bill. That should provide some indication
to the party that it needs to rethink its policy on the issue. The ANP
has refused to support it, other major coalition partners have expressed
reservations, and even party stalwarts such as Aitzaz Ahsan and Raza
Rabbani are opposing it publicly. Given this, it is unlikely that the
bill will survive, at least in its current form. While the PPP may be
able to eventually push it through the Senate, it is not likely to be
able to do so in the National Assembly with the two-thirds majority
required.
What, then, is to be gained from pursuing the matter?
In the absence of even internal support, the move seems to be aimed at
saving the skins of a handful of legislators. At a time when the
government is also pursuing a new contempt of court law, the attempt
adds to the perception that its prime motivation isopportunistic
politics.
And given the party`s poor governance record, the move
strengthens the general view that the administration is concerned with
narrow interests rather than the national interest. Public sentiment on
the issue is apparent, and is no doubt in part responsible for the stand
taken by some members of the coalition as well as the opposition both
inside and outside parliament. So with all the other issues the party is
currently dealing with, from pressure due to the reopening of Nato
supply routes to the NRO implementation case, pursuing this matter
doesn`t appear to make sense.
There is also the matter of the
principle involved, which the government should ultimately be focusing
on. At this point in its turbulent history, and given the widespread
lack of faith in politicians among the Pakistani public, why should dual
nationality holders not be willing to give up their foreign passports
if they want to take on public office? This is one fight the government
would do well to reconsider.
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