ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Monday deferred the dual nationality bill for evolving consensus among the political parties over a new draft of the bill after a thorough consultation among all political stakeholders.

The committee decided to withdraw the previous bill and evolved agreement that a consensus bill would be brought after consultation with the heads of all parties having representation in the parliament.

However, the meeting, chaired by Senator Kazim Khan, agreed that all political forces were ready to initiate the dialogue process over the bill.

Barrister Farogh Nasim of the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) viewed that dual nationals should be allowed to contest elections as there were 8 million overseas Pakistanis, who were contributing towards the nation in their different capacities.

Raja Zafarul Haq said that the opposition should also be taken into confidence over the draft of the bill. He said that the overseas Pakistanis should be given right to vote.

Law Minister Farooq H. Naek said that the government was ready for holding talks with all political parties to resolve the impasse over the draft bill.

BNP-Awami's Senator Kalsoom Perveen opposed the bill and said that the dual nationals should not be allowed to contest elections.