The right to vote for overseas Pakistanis

[Imad.Khan]

The right to vote for overseas Pakistanis​

Should Overseas Pakistanis have the right to vote? One section of people living in Pakistan believe that overseas Pakistanis shouldn't be allowed to vote as their Patriotism has been compromised or that people living overseas have no idea about the ground realities or about the issues concerning the local dispora. But lets have a look as why Overseas Pakistanis deserve the right to have a say on who gets to represent Pakistan in the world.

1. There are around 7.6 million overseas Pakistanis(Ref:1) as of Dec 2013 contributing $16Billion to the Pakistan econony by remittances alone in 2016 (Ref:2) and $18.4Billion in 2015 (Ref:3) which is around 40%-45% of the total revenue of Pakistan.
2. Overseas Pakistans are like brand ambassadors whos interaction create the image of the country better than anyone sitting in Pakistan
3. Most Overseas Pakistanis are educated and have front row seats to see what is working in other countries as compared to what is not working in Pakistan.
4. Overseas Pakistanis are more patriotic than their co-nationals back home, as they go through the heart-break of being away from home and their family & friends.
5. With the rise of electronic and social media, Overseas Pakistanis are equally aware of the local issues being faced by the people.
6. Every political party has offices around the world where they collect fundings for their respective parties.
7. Overseas Pakistanis have always generously donated when ever a need arises due to national calamities.

There are around 115 countries that give their expats the right to vote including US, UK, France and Australia. So why shouldn't overseas Pakistanis have the same right.

References

1: http://ophrd.gov.pk/frmDetails.aspx?id=1&opt=publications
2. https://tribune.com.pk/story/1100856/overseas-pakistanis-send-16-billion-in-remittances-up-5-25/
3. https://tribune.com.pk/story/920286/pakistan-pockets-remittances-amounting-to-18-4b/

Poll

If you agree with what i have stated above choose "Yes". if you have selected "NO" please share your reasons.

 

[Imad.Khan]

@Zibago @Zarvan @PakSword @Emmie @Oscar @The Accountant @Farah Sohail @war&peace @QatariPrince @Realistic Change @RealNapster @waz @Horus @The Sandman @El Sidd @mingle @Mugwop @Kaptaan @Mian Babban @Proudpakistaniguy @Sher Shah Awan @django @Spring Onion @LeGenD @Kash_Ninja @MastanKhan @Syed1. @Verve @WAJsal @Path-Finder @fatman17 @El_Swordsmen @Mansoon @Arsalan @Musafir117 @Baghial @ghazi52 @Strike X @Strike! @Hyprion @Tesky

 

[Zarvan]

If they can have right to be dual national than they also should have right to vote and fund a party.

 

[hunter_hunted]

As in other thread a brother from another mother mentioned if remittances to Pakistan is considered halal and are accepted then overseas vote should not be considered haram

 

[Musafir117]

What's the procedure for that in other countries? and what would we adopt if it's allows?

 

[The Accountant]

Yes we should own our nationals whereever they are living ... they are our brothers ... however one amendment i would suggest that counting their vote in respective constitutency is stupid as they will be influenced either by family in Pakistan or media .. so its better to introduce separate seats for overseas Pakistanis ... it will help in foreign relations as well ... these Pakistanis are our assets and by having their voices in the parliament we can influence them to motivate them to work for Pakistan even loving outside Pakistan and we can also address their issues and concerns through this method as well ... some dedicated MNAs for overseas Pakistanis

 

[H!TchHiker]

As in other thread a brother from another mother mentioned if remittances to Pakistan is considered halal and are accepted then overseas vote should not be considered haram

At first , right to vote should be extended to overseas ..Dual nationality is another issue ..Remittances are sent to FAMILIES not to pakistan...

 

[The Sandman]

@Zibago @Zarvan @PakSword @Emmie @Oscar @The Accountant @Farah Sohail @war&peace @QatariPrince @Realistic Change @RealNapster @waz @Horus @The Sandman @El Sidd @mingle @Mugwop @Kaptaan @Mian Babban @Proudpakistaniguy @Sher Shah Awan @django @Spring Onion @LeGenD @Kash_Ninja @MastanKhan @Syed1. @Verve @WAJsal @Path-Finder @fatman17 @El_Swordsmen @Mansoon @Arsalan @Musafir117 @Baghial @ghazi52 @Strike X @Strike! @Hyprion @Tesky

Totally agree with your post taking money from OSP's is halal but allowing us to vote is haram.

 

[I.R.A]

Totally agree with your post taking money from OSP's is halal but allowing us to vote is haram.

After reading what's mentioned in OP and what is being repeated as the best argument to support OSPs voting right .... I would say thank you but moving abroad hasn't changed the Pakistani mentality a bit, so it doesn't matter if you vote or you don't vote ........ the results are not going to be any different.

The discussion could have revolved around ........... Being Pakistani its our birth right to vote .... only .... but somehow the case is considered weak unless "We are better Pakistanis because of such and such" things are not included. By the way the big chunk of OSPs is laborers in Middle East so I don't know how it got translated into "Most OSPs are educated".

 

[Lucky Breeze]

Should be allowed but not for dual nationality holders. They will disagree but there must be a rule that if you want to decide the future of Pakistan then be a 100% pure Pakistani.

And the biggest chunk of remittances which is more than 90% come from the gulf where there is no concept of dual nationality. So as a test, election commission should held polling in gulf countries but before that firstly mark and cancel all the fake CNICs.

 

[padamchen]

It's absurd to allow someone to vote who does not have a physical existential stake in the country and the impact of his or her vote on his or her direct life.

What is this money that gets thrown around everywhere?

Are native residents paupers, waiting for the next dole from abroad?

99.9% of overseas money comes back into India as investment in the world's most lucrative market.

Koi kisi par ehsan nahin kar raha hai ...

Cheers, Doc

 

[Lucky Breeze]

I would say thank you but moving abroad hasn't changed the Pakistani mentality a bit, so it doesn't matter if you vote or you don't vote ........ the results are not going to be any different.

 

[Guvera]

Overseas Pakistanies must be allowed to vote, dual nationality is a separate issue but atleast all those pakistanies that r living abroad and holds only a pakistani passport must be allowed to vote, trust me they are more of a pakistani than us living in pakistan.

 

[Imad.Khan]

After reading what's mentioned in OP and what is being repeated as the best argument to support OSPs voting right .... I would say thank you but moving abroad hasn't changed the Pakistani mentality a bit, so it doesn't matter if you vote or you don't vote ........ the results are not going to be any different.

The discussion could have revolved around ........... Being Pakistani its our birth right to vote .... only .... but somehow the case is considered weak unless "We are better Pakistanis because of such and such" things are not included. By the way the big chunk of OSPs is laborers in Middle East so I don't know how it got translated into "Most OSPs are educated".

its not a matter of changing the result. I am a citizen of Pakistan, I love my country as much as anyother person in Pakistan. Everything that happens in Pakistan whether good or bad makes me happy or sad as much it makes anyone else in Pakistan. Where ever i go i will always be known as a Pakistani. All we want is the same right that a Pakistani living in the country would have. Not asking for anything extra.

Should be allowed but not for dual nationality holders. They will disagree but there must be a rule that if you want to decide the future of Pakistan then be a 100% pure Pakistani.

And the biggest chunk of remittances which is more than 90% come from the gulf where there is no concept of dual nationality. So as a test, election commission should held polling in gulf countries but before that firstly mark and cancel all the fake CNICs.

So going by your logic a 100% pure Pakistani like Zardari should have more rights than me, right?

 

[Lucky Breeze]

So going by your logic a 100% pure Pakistani like Zardari should have more rights than me, right?

If you take a 100% pure Pakistanis like Zardari then YES