Members of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat have proposed that the ban on dual nationality should apply uniformly to judges, bureaucrats, and other government officers, without exceptions.
The recommendation was made during a meeting chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan at the Parliament House on Friday. The committee discussed “The Civil Servant (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” tabled by Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan, focusing on the dual nationality of government officers. It directed the Secretary of the Establishment Division to submit a detailed report on civil servants holding dual nationalities.
Senator Saadia Abbasi emphasised that the restriction on dual nationality should cover all civil servants equally. She argued that exceptions, if any, should be extended to all and not be selective.
Senator Afnanullah Khan highlighted that civil servants take an oath of loyalty to Pakistan, making it impossible to be equally loyal to two countries. He reiterated that dual nationality poses a conflict of interest for individuals serving in key government positions.
Senator Abbasi urged the government to formulate a clear policy addressing dual nationality and its implications for public officeholders.
Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal informed the committee that the issue had been discussed by the “Secretaries Committee,” which raised no objections to dual nationality. However, he noted that maintaining loyalty to two nations is inherently challenging.
The committee decided to review the Secretaries Committee’s report in its next meeting to reach a resolution on the matter.
The meeting was attended by Senators Saadia Abbasi, Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Dr. Afnanullah Khan, Cabinet Division Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal, Establishment Division Special Secretary Sarah Saeed, and other senior officials.
