The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has said that casting doubt on the patriotism of overseas Pakistanis and disallowing them to take part in the elections was gross injustice. He appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Iftakhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other judges of the Supreme Court to review their judgment on the issue of dual nationality in the larger interest of the country and the nation.
He also called upon other political parties to reconsider their stance on the dual nationality. He said that the president of Pakistan should hold a referendum on the issue of dual nationality and Pakistanis living in foreign countries should be asked if they wanted to take part in elections and exercise their right to vote.
Mr Hussain expressed these views at a meeting in Lal Qila Ground in Azizabad that was specifically convened on the issue of dual nationality. Deputy Conveners and members of the Co-ordination Committee, Senators, MNAs, MPAs, ministers, office-bearers of various organizational wings, members of resident committees, members of the council of professionals and in-charges of Karachi sectors were present in the meeting.
Addressing political leaders, analysts, lawyers, judges, and people from different spheres of life, Mr Hussain presented the case of overseas Pakistanis having dual nationalities in a forceful manner by giving cogent arguments and references.
Mr Hussain said that he was expressing the sentiments of hundreds of thousands of Overseas Pakistanis who were always praying for Pakistan in difficult times and making efforts for its survival.
He said that Pakistanis living abroad had to go out because of force of circumstances. They got education and started businesses in foreign countries. These Pakistanis sent huge money to Pakistan in terms of foreign remittances that was the lifeblood of the economy of the country.
He asked if it was not sheer injustice to deprive these Pakistanis from their right of voting and not allowing them to contest elections. He asked what the rationale behind the federal ministry for overseas Pakistanis was if the overseas Pakistanis had nothing to do with Pakistan.
He said that even the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) had to leave Makkah when the persecution of the infidels increased. He not only left Makkah himself but asked his companions also to emigrate.
He asked if someone who was born and raised in Pakistan would become disloyal to Pakistan if they had to acquire dual nationality because of circumstances. He asked if they would be called less loyal to the country where they were born and where their elders were buried.
Mr Hussain asked if the acquisition of dual nationality takes away the right to be the loyal citizen of Pakistan. He asked what the fault of the people was who had to leave their homeland because of the tyranny of martial laws in order to save their lives.