NAB, IB officers hold dual citizenship

NA told some 80 govt employees share nationalities of other countries.

ISLAMABAD:

In a rare disclosure, the government informed lawmakers on Monday that senior officers of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) are among the 80 government employees who possess dual nationality.

IB Assistant Director Zafar Iqbal holds dual citizenship of Canada, a cabinet secretariat minister in charge informed the National Assembly (NA) in a written reply.

The previous government headed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) reinstated Zafar along with dozens of other IB employees under the Sacked Employees Act 2010.

A senior IB official told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity that the amended rules did not allow employees to possess nationalities of other countries, and even quoted rules, claiming that even if one’s spouse was a dual national, he or she could not serve the civilian intelligence unit.

PPP lawmaker Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had sought details of government officials holding citizenships of other countries.

Though NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq deferred the question and answer session, The Express Tribune obtained details of government employees holding dual nationality.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2013.