Gilani congratulates 3.7mn overseas Pakistanis for right to vote

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 18:06

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday congratulated 3.7 million overseas Pakistanis, who have been given the right to vote in the general election by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Prime Minister Gilani said he had been advocating the cause at all the forums and also during his visits abroad. He said Pakistanis working in other countries were keenly interested in peace and progress of their motherland and had always reached out to their countrymen during difficult times, particularly in the aftermath of natural calamities.

The Prime Minister said the decision would enable the overseas Pakistanis play their positive role in the national politics, as they were doing in the economy by contributing over 11 billion dollars per annum.

The Prime Minister urged the ECP to take all necessary measures to facilitate and help the overseas Pakistanis exercise their right to vote in the countries of their residence.

The Election Commission, at a meeting, decided to give the right to vote to 3.7 million overseas Pakistanis who hold the NIC cards.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Law and Justice, Labour and Manpower and representatives from related organizations. They also expressed their commitment to play their role to enable the overseas Pakistanis cast their votes with ease.

Each ministry will work out further details of the task assigned to them and will present the same to the committee in the next meeting.