ANP leaders. – File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The government on Saturday has decided to defer the proposed dual nationality bill, which would allow people with more than one country’s citizenship to participate in elections, after reservations were shown by a coalition party, DawnNews reported.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government came up with the proposed bill in order to make lawmakers, having dual nationality, eligible to participate in upcoming elections as the Supreme Court disqualified few legislators including former Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

In a bid to build consensus among allies on some important issues, including the one in contention, President Asif Ali Zardari chaired a meeting of leaders from coalition parties late on Friday at the Presidency.

Although, it was reported that the allies, including Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP), had vowed smooth passage from the parliament of the four important bills, ANP leader Haji Adeel said today that his party conveyed its reservations on the issue in Friday’s meeting.

Adeel said that dual nationals have no right to hold top government offices.

He said the government would not be able to pass the bill from the parliament without his party’s support as it requires a two-third majority which the PPP does not enjoy at the moment.

The ANP leader said that his party’s stance on the issue is clear and would not be drawn back. However, the ANP will support the PPP government on the contempt of court bill, Adeel added.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.