Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday submitted an affidavit affirming his Pakistani nationality. Along with much nationalistic rhetoric, he termed the allegation that he was holding a dual citizenship as totally baseless. The Supreme Court had taken a suo motto notice of the allegation and issued notices to Shahbaz Sharif and Raja Riaz. He urged all parliamentarians to respect the constitutional provision regarding dual nationality and file affidavits as required by the Election Commission on the directive of the Supreme Court.
In his view, those who earn precious foreign exchange for the country through hard work but have dual nationality are not acting against the constitution. If there is a restriction on dual nationals becoming members of parliament, it was essential for everyone to respect the constitution and law in this regard. This situation developed as leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz alleged that the Punjab Chief Minister was holding dual nationality. This Raja Riaz said at a time when parliamentarians were being asked to submit fresh affidavits clearly stating whether they were dual nationals or full-fledged Pakistanis. Nearly all members of the PML-N have sent up their affidavits to the Election Commission. It remains to be seen if Mian Shahbaz would initiate legal action against Raja Riaz.
 Meanwhile, the importance of dual nationals having the right to vote cannot be overestimated. As assets of the nation, it is entirely just to involve them in the political process and help set the course of the country, come election time.