Overseas Pakistanis will be able to choose better leadership with voting rights: Elahi

LAHORE: Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, who is also acting governor of Punjab these days, said that for the first time in the country’s history, overseas Pakistanis got the right to vote, after which they would be able to choose better leadership back home.

Read more: Parliament approves use of EVMs, voting rights to overseas Pakistanis amid ruckus

Elahi made these remarks during a meeting with President Pakistan Muslim League (PMLQ) in Saudi Arabia Chaudhry Azhar Warraich at Governor House on Sunday.

Amid a ruckus, a joint session of parliament earlier this month ended with the house passing 33 bills, including the controversial Election (Second Amendment) Bill 2021, and deferring one bill.

It has been one of the most controversial bills of the government as it would enable the Election Commission of Pakistan to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in polls and voting rights to overseas for the first time.

Terming the overseas Pakistanis as valuable assets for the country, Elahisaid that Saudi Arabia had more Pakistanis than other countries, and they were playing a vital role in improving Pakistan’s economy.

“Overseas Pakistanis were ambassadors of the country abroad. They were providing health, education and employment in most of the welfare institutions of Pakistan,” he added.

The PLM-Q Punjab president also told Warraich to activate the party in Saudi Arabia.

Read more: Fawad Chaudhry congratulates overseas Pakistanis for passage of ‘historical bills’

“I would work day and night to fulfil the trust of the party leadership for which awareness programs were being launched in Saudi Arabia on an emergency basis,” said Warraich.

The PML-Q leader was also given an honorary shield for his services to the party.