Key points
- Judges, parliamentarians cannot hold dual nationality
- Lawmakers suggest preventing bureaucrats from holding dual citizenships
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior of Pakistan has revealed that 22,000 bureaucrats of the country hold dual citizenships.
The committee pointed out that the same restriction should be applied to bureaucrats if judges and parliamentarians are barred from holding dual nationality.
According to the Express Tribune, Khurram Nawaz chaired the meeting of the committee.
During the session, the proposed legislation concerning the issuance of Pakistani passports to citizens of countries with dual nationality agreements was discussed.
Committee member Agha Rafiullah asked for detailed information on Pakistanis holding dual citizenship and questioned how many Pakistanis have dual nationality, how many have renounced it, and if National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) possesses data on which countries these individuals hold citizenship from.
Past instances
Further, Agha also referred to past instances where the degrees of 45,000 students from Al-Khair University were verified for the sake of confirming the credentials of a single individual for the NAB chairman post.
In that case, dual nationality restriction was relaxed to benefit one person, he argued. He further inquired about the countries with which Pakistan has citizenship agreements.
Nabeel Gabol opposed legislation that would allow Pakistanis who renounced their citizenship to be granted passports, arguing that laws should not be made to benefit a single individual or for the sake of granting one person a position.
Debate on dual citizenships
Gabol strongly opposed giving passports under such circumstances and suggested calling Foreign Office officials in the next meeting for further clarification. He added that those who surrender their Pakistani nationality abroad disrespect Pakistan.
Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, on the other hand, spoke in favour of the bill by stating that surrendering nationality abroad does not insult the country. He argued that passports were cancelled for those who made derogatory remarks against Pakistan while living overseas.
In the meeting, a shocking revelation was put forth that 22,000 bureaucrats currently hold dual citizenship.
Committee member Abdul Qadir Patel disclosed that while parliamentarians and judges are prohibited from holding dual nationality, bureaucrats are still allowed.
He demanded the bill include a clause preventing individuals with dual citizenships from being appointed as bureaucrats.
