ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in a fix to introduce dual nationality bill in the upcoming National Assembly session due to difference of opinion among the lawmakers about the contents of the bill.
Seeking amendments in the article 62 & 63 of the constitution, the major opposition party PPP has almost finalised the bill to introduce it in the 9th session of the Lower House but some senior voices are still giving their final nod on it.
Background interviews and discussions with the former ruling party's parliamentarian left the impression that some senior members are against some clauses of the bill, thus causing delay to give it final touches.
Sources said that PPP's allied partner (MQM) had assured its support in the House, as earlier they had strongly opposed the bar on lawmakers having dual nationality.
Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Syed Khursheed Shah has also admitted division in the ranks of the party over the bill. "The bill will thoroughly be deliberated in the upcoming parliamentary committee as two opinions are currently emerging," said Shah while talking to newsmen.
The article 63 of the constitution about 'disqualification for membership of parliament' says, "A person shall be qualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being, a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), if he ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan, or acquires the citizenship of a foreign State."
When contacted, PPP senior leader Naveed Qamar said that party will discuss the bill in length to reach on any consensus. "Difference of opinion could be in any matter but debate and discussion are the best solutions," he added.
PPP young leader Imran Zafar Leghari said there should not be different rules for politicians of the country. "There should not be discrimination for any segment of the society," he added.
It would not be out of place to mention here that PPP during its ruling era in previous assembly had also tried to pass this bill with the support of MQM but the idea was dropped due to opposition of other allied partner ANP.
A similar bill was also introduced by Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid that seeks the disqualification of parliamentarians and members of the federal and provincial government who hold dual nationality and own foreign accounts and property. The bill also applies to the armed forces and judiciary.