Overseas Pakistani Voting Rights Are Fundamental Rights

On May 10th, a dissident lawmaker, Noor Alam Khan, moved the motion to revoke the right of overseas Pakistanis to vote in the Parliament Elections. This bill is in violation of the inalienable fundamental right of overseas Pakistanis to vote guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan as interpreted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan

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Source: Bill to Amend Election Act 2017 Bill to Amend the Constitution of Pakistan

On May 10th, a dissident lawmaker, Noor Alam Khan, moved the motion to revoke the right of overseas Pakistanis to vote in the Parliament Elections. This bill is in violation of the inalienable fundamental right of overseas Pakistanis to vote guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan as interpreted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan

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Source: Bill to Amend Election Act 2017 Bill to Amend the Constitution of Pakistan

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By contacting the Parliament, you can let them know Overseas Voting Rights cannot be taken away and we wil fight back

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To the Speaker National Assembly, Pakistan,

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The President of Pakistan
The Supreme Court of Pakistan
The Senate Chairman
Attorney General of Pakistan 
Minister for Law and Justice
Inter-Parliamentary Union
UN HRC

On May 10th, a dissident lawmaker, Noor Alam Khan, moved the motion to revoke the right of overseas Pakistanis to vote in the Parliament Elections. This bill violates the inalienable fundamental right of overseas Pakistanis to vote, guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan as interpreted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. At a time when we need to strengthen our ties with the overseas Pakistani diaspora, the timing of this move serves as a political motive and is not in the interests of Pakistan.  
 
Also, the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 allows a citizen of Pakistan to hold dual nationality. Section 14(3) allows dual citizenship for Pakistani nationals. In 2020, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah stated in a judgement, “The contributions made by dual nationals cannot be denied. The patriotism of Pakistani citizens holding dual nationality cannot be doubted.” 
 
Over half of democracies or over 115 countries allow overseas voting. Recently Philipines and France held a Presidential election in which they arranged voting for their diaspora across the world. Disenfranchising the right of overseas Pakistanis to vote will hurt the global image of Pakistan and, more so, the bonds between Pakistan and the overseas community. In contrast, Engaging Overseas Pakistanis by giving them a vote will help Pakistan in its future development. They bring education, skills, new ideas, bringing learned experiences and business and academic expertise. 
 
Overseas Pakistanis contribute over $28 billion in remittances to Pakistan. The overseas community also serves as the best ambassador of Pakistan. The diaspora often plays a critical role in helping raise awareness of the crisis in Indian-occupied Kashmir. More importantly, the oversees community contribute to philanthropic projects such as schools, hospitals, and other charitable contributions that help build Pakistan.  
 
Reserved seats are not a substitute for voting rights. The constitution and case law is unambiguous; Overseas Pakistanis will vote in their respective provinces and constituencies. 
 
We seek your intervention to prevent the recent measures to amend the constitution by a lawmaker as it is against the community’s inalienable right to vote.

The Overseas Pakistani community will zealously guard our voting rights. We will challenge any attempts at disenfranchisement in a court of law.

Regards,

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