Overseas Pakistani Voting Rights are Fundamental Rights

In May 2020, the government passed a bill in national assembly and senate , moved the motion to limit 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

In May 2020, the government passed a bill in national assembly and senate , moved the motion to limit 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

Sign the petition 👉

Source: Bill to Amend Election Act 2017

Sign Petition Against Move To Finish Overseas Voting Rights

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By contacting The President, Supreme Court, Parliament of Pakistan and United Nations, you can let them know Overseas Voting Rights cannot be taken away, and we will fight back.

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To Speaker National Assembly, Pakistan,
cc:
❇️The President of Pakistan
❇️The Supreme Court of Pakistan
❇️The Senate Chairman
❇️Attorney General of Pakistan 
❇️Inter-Parliamentary Union
❇️UN HRC

Recently, the parliament and senate have passed a bill that limits overseas voting rights.. This bill violates the inalienable fundamental right of overseas Pakistanis to vote, guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan and confirmed 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 smells of a political motive and is not in the interests of Pakistan.  
 
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 also 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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