A parliamentary committee in Pakistan has taken a significant step toward restricting dual citizenship among civil servants. In a recent vote, the committee approved the proposal by a margin of six to one, supporting an amendment to the Civil Servants Act of 1973 that would prevent bureaucrats from holding citizenship of more than one country.
The bill was introduced by Noor Alam Khan and seeks to bring the rules for civil servants in line with existing constitutional restrictions. Currently, members of parliament and personnel in the armed forces are already barred from holding dual nationality, and this amendment would extend similar requirements to the federal bureaucracy.
During discussions, Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal suggested that the government should carefully review individual cases and even consider whether judges should also be included in the ban. The committee decided to delay the final procedural vote until February 16, allowing the Prime Minister time to review the proposed changes.
Proponents of the bill argue that it is essential for maintaining clear and consistent loyalty within all state institutions. They believe that civil servants, who play a crucial role in implementing government policies, should have undivided allegiance to Pakistan. Supporters say that applying the same rules to bureaucrats as those already in place for lawmakers and military personnel will strengthen public trust in government institutions and ensure that officials act solely in the national interest.
Opponents have raised concerns about how the ban might affect individuals who hold dual nationality for personal or professional reasons, but the committee has emphasized the importance of national security and the integrity of the civil service.
The parliamentary panel’s move marks an important step in shaping Pakistan’s public service framework and demonstrates the government’s intention to enforce consistent rules across all branches of state service.
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