Bold move: NA panel hints at forcing bureaucrats to relinquish dual nationalities

ISLAMABAD: In a bold move that could reshape the power dynamics, a parliamentary panel on Monday hinted at stripping bureaucrats’ dual nationalities and urged similar action against judges, with a final decision on the issue set for February 16.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat met here on Monday with MNA Ibrar Ahmad in the chair. Members of the committee unanimously raised hands, urging parliament to pass a bill to enforce a ban on the appointment of a person with dual nationality. The final decision; however, was put on hold till February 16.

The Committee passed “The Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2024” and “The Standard Time (Interpretation of References (Amendment) Bill, 2025.”

The Committee discussed “The Civil Servant (Amendment) Bill, 2024, The Civil Servant (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Standard Time (Interpretation of References (Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Federal Employees Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2024, minutes of previous meeting and report of previous recommendations of the Committee and other issues.

Special Secretary Establishment Division Sarah Saeed briefed the committee and gave arguments in favour of allowing bureaucrats to hold dual nationality. She also argued that relaxation should be given to those Pakistanis who are dual nationals by birth.

While discussing “The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2024” moved by MNA Noor Alam Khan, which provides that a person holding dual nationality or citizenship of any foreign country shall not be entitled to appointment under this Act, Noor Alam Khan said that there is no ban on parliamentarians holding dual nationality, but officers of grades 21 and 22, who are appointed to high and sensitive posts, have dual nationality. He said that they handle many state secrets and approve documents with their signatures. He added that parliamentarians come for a short period of five years, while bureaucrats serve for many years. He also said that there is a ban on dual nationality in the military.

Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal said that it is the right of Parliament to decide and legislate on dual nationality. He also argued that relaxation should be given to those Pakistanis who are dual nationals by birth. He said that judges should also be included in the ban on dual nationality. All members of the committee agreed and said that judges should be included in the ban.

Committee member Nuzhat Sadiq said that she had dual nationality but surrendered her foreign nationality before becoming a member of Parliament.

Tahira Aurangzeb said that her daughter, Marriyum Aurangzeb, who currently serves as Senior Minister in the government of Punjab, had dual nationality but also surrendered her foreign nationality. She added that a young relative of hers joined the military but before promotion from captain to major, he was asked to surrender his foreign nationality or resign from the military. She said that eventually he had to leave the military.

Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal said that it is right of parliament to decide and legislate on the dual nationality. He said that judges should also include for banning dual nationality.

All the members of the Committee said why not, the judges should be included for banning dual nationality.

Mover of the bill, Noor Alam Khan, said, “Mr. Chairman, all the members agree on the passage of the bill. You should conduct the voting. We can raise hands for voting.” After this, all seven members present in the meeting raised their hands for voting. However, Committee Chairman Ibrar Ahmad said that the committee should wait until February 16 for the report of the committee formed by the Prime Minister on this issue.

Noor Alam Khan said that the Prime Minister is also in favour of the bill.

The Committee Chairman said that he has met the Prime Minister three times and that the issue will be taken up again after waiting until February 16, 2026.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026