APROPOS your editorial ‘Tahirul Qadri and polls’, the fundamental question is that Dr Qadri is disqualified for membership of Majlis-i-Shoora (parliament). By virtue of acquiring citizenship of a foreign state (Canada), he is debarred from representing even a single constituency in terms of Article 63 (c) of the Constitution.

The basic questions that arise as a result of the disqualification are, firstly, whether such a person should be allowed to head a political or politico-religious party? Secondly, should such a person be permitted to indulge in any kind of activity that leads to membership of parliament, either for himself or his followers?

The obvious rationale for disqualification under Article 63 (c) is that a person with dual nationality has divided loyalty. Those who acquire citizenship of Britain and other commonwealth countries take the oath of loyalty to the Queen of England. A person who chooses greener pastures for personal interest cannot be trusted to act in national interest. It is, therefore, reasonable to assert that keeping in view the logic behind Article 63 (c), such persons should be debarred from all kinds of political activity.

I would propose that the government should pass a law to this effect. In fact, Article 63 (c) should be applied mutatis mutandis to all who are in the service of Pakistan, both civil and military, including those holding public/constitutional offices. AGP is the case in point. In case the government fails to take action, the Supreme Court, should, in the national interest, lay down parameters under Article 63 (c). The provisions of Article 63 need to be forcefully implemented without exceptions. Let us make our Constitution a living document.

Syed Bilal Ahmed

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2014