ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has proposed a new formula for the representation of overseas Pakistanis in the parliament, while simultaneously taking a clear position that expatriates should come to the country to cast their vote.
In an official statement issued today (Saturday), Shehbaz Sharif proposed that reserve seats should be allocated for the overseas Pakistanis in the National Assembly and Senate. “This way the expats’ representatives would be able to raise issues being faced by the people in both houses of the parliament,” he added.
In his formula, Shehbaz has proposed to allocate five to seven seats in the National Assembly and two seats in the Senate for foreign Pakistanis. “The modalities and conditions of representation in these seats should be decided by all the political parties in parliament,” he added,
“This method can ensure a secure representation of Pakistanis living abroad in the parliament,” Shehbaz said, adding, “PML-N supports the right to vote for expats keeping in line with democratic thinking and principles.”
Calling expatriates the pride of Pakistan, Shehbaz said that roughly eight million Pakistanis living abroad are the country’s strength and contributing to the development of the homeland.
“We value the unwavering love and efforts of Pakistanis living abroad,” he said, adding that “we want an immediate, fair and just solution to all the problems being faced by the overseas community in Pakistan”.
Shahbaz said that PML-N would play its full role in giving the right to representation to the overseas Pakistanis in the government, saying “we will never disappoint our Pakistani brothers and sisters living abroad.”
Shehbaz Sharif’s statement came at a time when the government has constantly been pushing for electoral reforms, especially, giving the right to vote to the expatriates and holding the next general elections through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Apparently, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is in favour of allowing overseas Pakistanis to cast their vote via the internet and postal balloting.
However, the PML-N president has proposed that expatriates should come to the country at the time of elections and cast their votes according to the registration of their votes in the voters’ list.
