Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza on Sunday accepted resignations of four parliamentarians, who are allegedly hold dual nationality, which indicates that the government may not have sufficient support in the Parliament for legislation regarding dual nationality.
According to a statement issued by NA secretariat, resignations of four MNAs including Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi, Syed Tayyab Hussain, Fauzia Ejaz and Dr. Nadeem Ahsan have been sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for further action. The statement further stated that all the four members have resigned for personal reasons. However, political analysts say that the government may not longer be considering legislation on the dual nationality issue because of stiff resistance from coalition partners especially Awami National Party (ANP) and some members within the ruling party.
Otherwise, they say that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members may not have resigned from the National Assembly. It may also be mentioned that the government had twice attempted to pass the dual nationality law from the upper House but could not succeed due to lack of majority. The government strength has further reduced in the National Assembly following the resignations by the members and even legislation for creation of Sariki province may not be possible.
The by-election on the seats vacated by the members is not possible after November 15 2012 because Article 224 of the Constitution states that no by-election in any constituency 120 days before completion of the tenure of the Assembly. The Election Commission of Pakistan had set November 30 as last date for submission of declaration affidavits by the parliamentarians regarding dual nationality in pursuance of Supreme Court order in the case.