ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior as well as the ministry (Interior) unanimously rejected “The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) bill, 2019” observing that it would have serious repercussions on security and economy of the country.
Riaz Fatyana, senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentarian had moved the bill saying that the proposed legislation was aimed at taking forward the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan who had announced of giving citizenship.
“This bill seeks to amend the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 to regulate the nationality of those persons who are living in Pakistan for twenty years or by birth due to political situation, war, civil war etc. They are deprived of their fundamental rights as citizens.”
They have started business and purchased property in the country and have deep roots in the society by entering into marriages with the locals. They are unable to get CNIC, open bank accounts, share property or get job and consequently they do not pay tax to the government. After the aforesaid amendment they will become part I Pakistan and make contribution to the economy of Pakistan”, he added.
The committee whit met with Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz in the chair here on Friday. Committee chairman said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan had expressed serious reservations over Prime Minister’ announcement of giving citizenships and was become a major issue in these provinces. We are already overburdening due to huge population and finding it difficult to provide facilities to our own people, how can we give to foreigners”, he added. The government should get rid of illegal migrants, some committee members added.
Fatyana said that the non-citizens should either be expelled or mainstreamed.
Secretary Interior said that it is a serious and sensitive issue but by giving citizenships to all would create serious security challenges as well as would affect country’s economy and jobs. He further said that it would have demographic and political repercussions as well especially in the voting scenario.
Director General Passport said that Pakistan has one of the most liberal policy with respect to citizenships compared to other countries including India, US and European countries. He proposed that the amendment should be otherwise and the citizenship should be more restricted.
After taking input from other members, committee chairman unanimously rejected the proposed legislation.
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