There are estimated 8 million overseas Pakistanis residing all around the world contributing 14 billion dollars as remittances for the welfare of Pakistan each year. To date they have been deprived of their constitutional right to take part in the electoral democratic process in Pakistan. Chairman Imran Khan and some overseas Pakistanis raised the issue in the Supreme Court of Pakistan for granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis for 2013 General Elections. After a great effort a ruling was issued by the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan to grant the right to vote a few days before the election date. However due to the last minute of the ruling no provisions could be made to ensure the implementation hence the overseas Pakistanis could not vote in 2013 General Elections. The Honorable Supreme Court in its judgment made it clear that right to vote to overseas Pakistanis must be assured for all elections held in Pakistan. Due to the criminal negligence of the current government no progress has been made in this regard even when the Local Bodies elections 2013/2014 schedule was announced. In Baluchistan the Local Bodies Elections were held without overseas Pakistanis participation of Balochi roots. This stands in direct violation of the Constitution of Pakistan and the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Furthermore it is a question mark on all the Parliamentarians who are trusted with safeguarding the rights of the people of Pakistan and have taken no steps to ensure even the most basic right to citizens of Pakistan. Now, another PTI member from USA, has raised this issue through her counsel Barrister Dawood Ghazanavi in Islamabad High Court. The Honorable Islamabad High court has now made a reference to the newly elected Chief Election Commissioner to address this issue. ~Ali~
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 20:22:40 +0000