There is hardly any denying Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s observation that unless public representatives are stopped from having dual nationality, the country will continue to have imported prime ministers. The court, however, clarified that this ban was only meant for the parliamentarians. It referred to article 63(1) (c) of the constitution that prohibits public representatives from having dual nationality. Already, one of the members of the national assembly has been given marching orders, while proceedings are underway against others violating the provision.

Members of the assembly who hold foreign passports are required to solely accord Pakistan the allegiance that is required of them. They must be allied with national interests without a conflict of patriotism, should these interests clash with those of another country. There is also the fear that it may enable an ill intentioned person to make a quick buck off taxpayer money while in power, and easily skip off abroad whenever they feel like. There should be no place for such mischief amongst our ranks. The Chief Justice should extend this rule to apply to judges, bureaucrats and army and defence officials, not just members of the assemblies.