Expats' Voting Rights: Appreciation Pouring In On Ordinance's Approval

Wholehearted gratitude and appreciation are pouring in from overseas Pakistanis and other quarters for incumbent government's initiative to give expats voting right in recently approved ordinance by the Federal Cabinet

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th May, 2021 ) :Wholehearted gratitude and appreciation are pouring in from overseas Pakistanis and other quarters for incumbent government's initiative to give expats voting right in recently approved ordinance by the Federal Cabinet.

The decision, approved on Tuesday, is meant to ensure participation of the overseas Pakistanis in the next general elections by empowering the Election Commission of Pakistan in that regard.

Jubilant Pakistanis living in different parts of the world, especially the West and the middle East are hailing Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government for the decision which was announced by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain in Islamabad the other day.

Welcoming the move, the expats from United Kingdom, United States of America, Saudi Arabia and other countries regarded it as a 'commendable' and 'timely' step, and said it would eventually ensure participation of over eight million overseas Pakistanis in the electoral process and decision making of Pakistan.

"Right to vote for the overseas Pakistanis, which are in millions around the world, is crucial to their participation in the electoral process," Mehmood Riyaz, a Pakistani from the United Kingdom, said while lauding the initiatives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government in that regard.

Noor Muhammad, a Pakistani from Birmingham, said the Pakistani expats had contributed massively in the national and economic development of Pakistan. "Pakistanis living abroad have sent a record remittances to the country during the coronavirus pandemic which manifested their true love for the motherland." "Giving them voting rights will further strengthen their relationship with Pakistan," he added.

"As an American, it gives me immense pleasure to learn about being able to vote in the Pakistani election," the head of American-Pakistani Political Action Committee (APPAC), Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, said in an interview with APP.

"As someone who grew up in Pakistan and still feels very close to our ancestral motherland, it gives me comfort that even living thousands of miles away we can take part in the democratic process and have a say in electing the right candidates who will take country in the right direction", Dr. Ijaz said.

Talking to APP, Muhammad Irfan, an expatriate from Saudi Arabia, said he fully believed in the PTI government that it would provide right to vote to the overseas Pakistanis before the end of its tenure.

He said the expats had been waiting for this initiative for several decades as they also love their country as much as those living in Pakistan.