ISLAMABAD: PML-Q Chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has offered his support to the constitutional amendment bill seeking a ban on parliamentary politics and service in judiciary, military and civil service for anyone possessing any bank account, assets, wealth, business etc outside Pakistan or has dual nationality.
While the response of other political parties including the PPP, PML-N, MQM, ANP etc is still awaited to this extraordinary initiative of PML-Q MNA and former minister of state Raza Hayat Hiraj, the Q-Chief chose to give his written approval of his MNA’s private member bill.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who like Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Asfandyar Wali and many others has reportedly kept his wealth and businesses in foreign countries, signed as approved the letter written by Hiraj to Law Minister Babar Awan seeking consensus for the early passage of the constitutional amendment bill.
Shujaat support to this bill would bring pressure on other political parties and their top leadership to offer their support too to the bill, which if implemented would bar the politicians, generals, judges and bureaucrats to have their assets and businesses abroad.
Generally in their public speeches and routine rhetoric, the politicians speak against those political leaders, MPs and government servants, who have their wealth in foreign countries. However, here is the test for all of them to prove, through their actions, if they are sincere and truthful in their rhetoric.
The letter signed by Hiraj and approved by Hussain said that the copy of bill has been sent to the heads of all the leading political parties and opinion makers. It added, “It is appreciated that this document cannot attain finality unless a consensus is created amongst the necessary stake holders.”
If implemented, the letter said, the amendment would serve as a way forward for the future of Pakistan. The Hiraj-Hussain letter expected from the law minister: “If you are convinced with the contents, I would then plead for your kind support.” The draft constitutional bill seeks the insertion of Article 63(B) after the existing Article 63(A) of the constitution. The draft amendment reads: “63 B; Disqualification On Certain Grounds: (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force, a person shall be disqualified from service in Pakistan or holding any office in any organization, including members of the armed forces and judiciary; whether wholly or partly owned or controlled by the Federal or Provincial Government or being elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or Provincial Assembly or local government if:
a) He maintains an accounts in any bank or financial institution in a foreign country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case me be or;
b) Holds a dual nationality or has a permanent resident status of any other country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case may be, or
c) Holds an office of profit or interest in any company or organization established in a foreign country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case may be, or
d) Owns any property whether free hold, lease hold or even in the form of licence, assets, shares or any interest in any company based in a foreign country, whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the cay may be, or
e) Carries out business including any commercial activity in any organization or establishment based in a foreign country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case may be.
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While the response of other political parties including the PPP, PML-N, MQM, ANP etc is still awaited to this extraordinary initiative of PML-Q MNA and former minister of state Raza Hayat Hiraj, the Q-Chief chose to give his written approval of his MNA’s private member bill.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who like Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Asfandyar Wali and many others has reportedly kept his wealth and businesses in foreign countries, signed as approved the letter written by Hiraj to Law Minister Babar Awan seeking consensus for the early passage of the constitutional amendment bill.
Shujaat support to this bill would bring pressure on other political parties and their top leadership to offer their support too to the bill, which if implemented would bar the politicians, generals, judges and bureaucrats to have their assets and businesses abroad.
Generally in their public speeches and routine rhetoric, the politicians speak against those political leaders, MPs and government servants, who have their wealth in foreign countries. However, here is the test for all of them to prove, through their actions, if they are sincere and truthful in their rhetoric.
The letter signed by Hiraj and approved by Hussain said that the copy of bill has been sent to the heads of all the leading political parties and opinion makers. It added, “It is appreciated that this document cannot attain finality unless a consensus is created amongst the necessary stake holders.”
If implemented, the letter said, the amendment would serve as a way forward for the future of Pakistan. The Hiraj-Hussain letter expected from the law minister: “If you are convinced with the contents, I would then plead for your kind support.” The draft constitutional bill seeks the insertion of Article 63(B) after the existing Article 63(A) of the constitution. The draft amendment reads: “63 B; Disqualification On Certain Grounds: (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force, a person shall be disqualified from service in Pakistan or holding any office in any organization, including members of the armed forces and judiciary; whether wholly or partly owned or controlled by the Federal or Provincial Government or being elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or Provincial Assembly or local government if:
a) He maintains an accounts in any bank or financial institution in a foreign country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case me be or;
b) Holds a dual nationality or has a permanent resident status of any other country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case may be, or
c) Holds an office of profit or interest in any company or organization established in a foreign country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case may be, or
d) Owns any property whether free hold, lease hold or even in the form of licence, assets, shares or any interest in any company based in a foreign country, whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the cay may be, or
e) Carries out business including any commercial activity in any organization or establishment based in a foreign country whether in his own name, or in the name of his spouse, children or dependents or as the case may be.
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