SC asks civil servants with dual nationalities to either give up job or second citizenship

Saying that employees with dual nationality are a threat to the country, Supreme Court (SC) ordered on Saturday the government not to appoint dual nationals on top post.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu case regarding dual nationalities of government officers. During the hearing, the CJP announced the verdict saying that the government should set up deadlines for all civil servants with dual nationalities to either give up their job or to give up second nationality, local media reported.

The SC asked the federal and provincial governments to make up lists of its employees who hold dual nationalities. The bench also directed the parliament to legislate and take necessary measures in this regard. The top court remarked that if its orders were not followed, the result could end in legal action.

Earlier this year, the Federal Investigation Agency had submitted to the top court a list of around 1,000 dual nationals holding government offices. In September, the court had reserved its judgment after summoning details of senior government officers and members of the judiciary having dual nationality.