Dual Nationality
KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig has refuted media reports alleging his dual nationality, asserting that he renounced his Canadian citizenship well before the elections. The dismissal comes in response to claims made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) affiliated independent candidate for NA-241, Khurram Sher Zaman, who accused Baig of maintaining dual citizenship.
Taking to Twitter, Zaman asserted that the Election Appellate Tribunal permitted Baig to contest in the NA-241 constituency despite his dual Canadian and Pakistani citizenship.
Zaman called for documentary proof of Baig’s renunciation of Canadian citizenship, warning that failure to provide such evidence could lead to disqualification under Article 63(1) of the constitution. In his defense, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, who emerged victorious in the NA-241 election against Zaman, countered the allegations.
Baig clarified that he had submitted documents, including an affidavit, attesting to the renunciation of his Canadian citizenship to the Election Appellate Tribunal of the Sindh High Court (SHC). According to Baig, it was on the basis of these submitted documents that he was allowed to participate in the elections.
In a contrasting narrative, the PTI Karachi leader maintained that Baig failed to provide documentation regarding the renunciation of his foreign nationality, which he claimed to have relinquished in June 2023.
Expressing intent to take legal action, the PTI leader asserted that Baig’s participation in the elections as a dual national is a violation of Pakistani law. The situation sets the stage for a potential legal battle, as the conflicting claims and counterclaims between the two political figures unfold.
Mirza Ikhtiar Baig was allowed by Election Appellate Tribunal to run as a candidate in NA241 despite being a dual citizen of Canada & Pakistan. But the time is now to provide documentary proof of renunciation of Canadian citizenship or be disqualified under Constitution Art 63(1) pic.twitter.com/t4qjKG1Ud3
— Khurrum Sher Zaman NA-241 (@KhurumSherZaman) February 18, 2024
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