Call for dual nationality declarations: Senate panel says ECP 'crossed limits'

Senate's Special Committee on Election has summoned the Election Commissioner of Pakistan over dispatching letters to the Senate Secretariat, asking its members to submit fresh declarations regarding dual nationality. At the same time, the committee warned the ECP that it would not let it to cross its constitutional limits.
Pakistan People's Party Senator Muhammad Jahangir Badr chaired the meeting of the committee on Thursday. In his ruling, he said that ECP had been crossing its limits. He said the committee would convene a meeting of all parliamentary and other registered political parties and representatives of civil society on October 18 to build consensus against ECP decisions. Members of the National Assembly would also be invited to attend the meeting, he said. The committee refused to submit fresh declarations to the ECP, stating that none of Senate members held dual nationalities.
Senator Ishaq Dar recommended that no role should be given the Senate in the general elections. He said that Senate should not give suggestions regarding overseeing the upcoming general election. He suggested that the Senate would practically become inactive soon after the general election process was initiated.
Senator Colonel Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi (Retd) challenged Ishaq Dar's arguments and said Senate remained intact and its constitutional role could not be ignored. It would exist during the election and would play its role. He criticised the ECP for asking fresh declarations. He said that legislation on dual nationality was the responsibility of parliament and no other institution should dictate them.
Senator Muhammad Zahid Khan from ANP opined that parliament had carried out legislation to empower the Supreme Court and Election Commission of Pakistan. Whenever, parliament curtailed their powers, parliamentarians were called thieves and robbers. He questioned why parliamentarians were always made subject of accountability. No body was ready to talk about the accountability of the judiciary and Members of the ECP. He pointed out that allocation of additional seats for Balochistan in the National Assembly was not the solution to the Balochistan problem. Senate was a place which could play an effective role in resolving issues of Balochistan as it had equal representation from all the four provinces.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha said that ECP had neglected ground realities while approving the code of conduct for candidates contesting the election. He termed the code unrealistic. Senator Syeda Sughra Imam pointed out that the terms of reference of the committee would not to allow the committee to oversee elections, but review the existing legislation regarding the holding of general election.