THE government aims at enabling overseas Pakistanis not only to vote as they do now, but also hold public office in Pakistan.

The main argument in favour of this move is to reward Pakistanis for remitting valuable foreign exchange to Pakistan. Not only are overseas Pakistanis helping Pakistan, they are also closely associated with the land by virtue of having their relations in Pakistan. So runs the argument.

Today's world is a global village. Migrant workers, investors, professionals and asylum seekers abound practically in all vibrant economies where employment, relative security and asylum are available.

Does this mean that all parent countries today allow their emigrants the facility we are about to give to our nationals ? I doubt.

The main beneficiaries will be the corrupt elements who have amassed immense wealth abroad. They have to have dual nationality to protect their ill-gotten wealth, as well as to hold property, business interests, etc., in their adopted country.

A far more sinister consequence is this: overseas Pakistanis are either job-seekers or fugitives. It is well-known that many politicians and retired government servants migrate to escape arrest and to husband their treasure troves. Just imagine such criminals holding public office which will give them levers of power to be used for personal benefits. What they were doing surreptitiously and through agencies could be done now easily.

Living away long from their constituencies they will have no idea of the people’s problems, nor will they have any nexus with their voters. Then what is the point of being tied down by the love and honour of one's homeland.

F. HASAN Karachi