Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Shariat means rule of law
PM Imran Khan’s statement that government would place TLP’s demands for severing relations with France before Parliament is cause for concern. Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan has neither any representative nor constitutional status that such weird demands should merit any consideration. There is no place in Jinnah’s concept of a modern democratic welfare state, where foreign policy issues should merit consideration from Parliamentary Committees with inputs from trade, national security, mutual economic benefits and long-term regional cooperation.
We have, for too long, pursued a policy of relationship with other states based on transactional short-term benefits for few, rather than on trade and foreign investment etc. As a country, with a majority Muslim population, we can and should embark on boycott of imports, with exception of scientific and security items, from any country where the state itself is involved in blasphemous acts. Such boycotts can only be effective if adopted by all Islamic countries and not just Pakistan.
However, we must understand that the State of Pakistan must be seen conforming to Islamic ethics and concept of justice, rule of laws and transparency and achieve economic self-reliance through acquiring knowledge in science and technology, rather than giving lip service and exploitation of religion for ulterior political objectives. Violations of oaths pledged on Holy Book by the paid public office holders are more blasphemous acts than those committed by non-believers. The elected and paid elite must lead by example.
TARIQ ALI
Via email
Confusion about dual nationality
The Government of Pakistan has an agreement with 20 countries, including the US, UK, Canada etc. allowing citizens of Pakistan to hold their nationality, while simultaneously being eligible for NICOP and our passport. However, once a Pakistani citizen takes an Oath of Citizenship of the US, or any other country, he is bound by oath to obey the laws of that country and pledge undivided loyalty to his newly adopted country and its constitution.
Recently the Ministry of Defence has suspended the pension and perks of former DG ISI, retired Gen Durrani after they had doubts about his interaction with his RAW counterpart. On the same logic pensions and perks of all former retired civil or uniformed officers who have renounced their previous loyalty to Pakistan when taking American/UK/etc oath of citizenship must be suspended and withdrawn. In any case they get welfare benefits from their new adopted country.
When an individual takes oath of citizenship of any other country, they are required as per law to perform whatever the state considers to be in its national security interest. In the US they have a Patriots Act, which clearly makes it obligatory on an individual to uphold his pledge to the American Constitution, irrespective of his previous loyalty.
The American Constitution debars any such individual who has taken an oath of citizenship to pledge his loyalty thereafter to any other state, including the country of his origin. It means that a US national cannot pledge an oath of loyalty to any other country nor its constitution. The US Constitution demands undivided loyalty, which every country must ensure if they want to remain sovereign and independent. State sovereignty and national security interests are too sacrosanct and cannot be entrusted with individuals having divided loyalty.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
Accountability
If we examine the historical past of Pakistan’s politics and nature and direction of change, one can observe that every new government started accountability of the former government. Even Gen Pervez Musharraf established the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and used it for political and institutional gains. In present and past accountability culture, every new scandal of mega corruption is unearthed by the NAB, FIA etc.
While the main institution, “Audit and Accounts department of Pakistan” who’s basic work is to check corrupt practices and root out corruption is itself held for massive corruption. If present PTI government really wants to check and uproot low-level corruption then it’s necessary to ensure accountability of this department. After real accountability of this department, Pakistan can be put on path of real progress.
AMMAR UL HASSAN
Lahore
