ISLAMABAD:
In a surprising revelation, a National Assembly panel was informed on Monday that more than 22,000 bureaucrats in Pakistan had dual nationality, raising alarms about national security.
When the AN Home Standing Committee met here with Raja Khurram Nawaz in the chair, members raised alarm over the practice and called for strict measures to restrict it, especially for bureaucrats, judges and MPs.
The meeting was deliberating on proposed legislation that would grant Pakistani passports to citizens of countries with which Pakistan has dual nationality agreements.
The PPP’s Agha Rafiullah demanded detailed statistics on Pakistani citizens holding dual nationality, including how many have renounced their foreign citizenship and whether NADRA possessed data on which countries these individuals were affiliated with.
The committee member also expressed concern over the relaxation of dual nationality norms, citing the example of the NAB chairman, whose degree verification involved confirming the records of 45,000 students of a university.
He questioned how the rules were relaxed for a person to be granted dual nationality, especially when it was a high-level position. He further sought clarification on Pakistan’s nationality agreements with other countries.
Meanwhile, Nabil Gabol opposed legislation that would allow those who have renounced Pakistani nationality to receive a passport. The PPP lawmaker argued that such legislation should not be designed to benefit a specific individual or political party.
He also strongly opposed the idea of granting citizenship or passport to anyone simply to give him a position and proposed inviting officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the next meeting to discuss the matter in more detail.
He said handing over Pakistani nationality abroad was an insult to the country.
On the other hand, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry supported the bill, arguing that surrendering nationality abroad should not be considered an insult to Pakistan. He noted that those who defame Pakistan abroad should have their passport revoked.
During the meeting it was also revealed that 22,000 bureaucrats have dual citizenship.
Committee member Abdul Qadir Patel expressed surprise that while members of the National Assembly and judges were prohibited from holding dual citizenship, bureaucrats were not. He proposed that the bill should include a provision to ensure that dual nationals are not appointed as bureaucrats.
Patel also disputed the argument that politicians are not granted dual citizenship because of the need to safeguard state secrets.
