Both, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Ministry of Interior have rejected 'The Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019,' observing that it would have serious repercussions on security and economy of the country. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior parliamentarian Riaz Fatyana had moved the bill, saying that the proposed legislation was aimed at taking forward the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
"This Bill seeks to amend the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 to regulate the nationality of those 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 and have started business and purchased properties in the country having deep roots in the society by entering into marriages with the locals. They are unable to get CNICs, open bank accounts, share property or get jobs and consequently they do not pay tax to the government. After the aforesaid amendment they will become part of Pakistan and make contribution to the economy," he added.
The committee met with Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz in the chair here on Friday. The committee chairman said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan had expressed serious reservations over the prime minister's announcement of giving citizenships and this is a major issue in these provinces. "We are already overburdened due to huge population and finding it difficult to provide facilities to our own people. How can we give citizenship to foreigners?" he added.
The government should get rid of illegal migrants, some committee members added. Fatyana said non-citizens should either be expelled or mainstreamed. The secretary interior said it is a serious and sensitive issue but giving citizenships to all would create serious security challenges and affect the country's economy. He further said it would have demographic and political repercussions as well, especially in the voting scenario.
The DG Passport said Pakistan has one of the most liberal policies with respect to citizenship 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, the committee chairman unanimously rejected the proposed legislation.
The committee also discussed the agenda items including the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2019 moved by PTI parliamentarian Sher Akbar Khan, petition of Rafiq Ahmed & others and issues faced by Bach Christian Hospital, Abbottabad. Sher Akbar Khan said corruption threatens economic development, destabilises society and jeopardises rules of law. Public resources are meant for social welfare and to provide basic facilities like health and education, and to develop infrastructure.
The committee agreed upon increasing the punishment/penalties proposed in the bill; however, it raised objections over its domain while observing it would open new Pandora box. A sub-committee was constituted to thoroughly review the bill. The SSP South Khairpur, Sindh, briefed about the petition of Rafiq Ahmed. The committee directed police to investigate the issue on merit and provide security to both the parties. For bringing peace between the tribes, the committee also requested Nawab Muhammad Yousaf Talpur, member of committee and a prominent personality of the area, to help resolve the issue at tribal level. Police department was also directed to share each and every development regarding the issue with the committee.
Members/MNAs Sher Akbar Khan, Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood, Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak, Syed Iftikhar Ul Hassan, Mohammad Pervaiz Malik, Nadeem Abbas, Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur, Riaz Fatyana and senior officers from the Ministry of Interior, FIA, Passport and Immigration, Ministry of Law & Justice and Sindh Police attended the meeting.