PPP seeks to stop dual nationals from becoming civil servants

While the PTI-led federal government is introducing legislation to allow dual nationals to contest polls, legislators of the PPP – the second largest opposition party – have submitted a bill, seeking to stop dual nationals from getting appointed as civil servants.

PPP leaders – Jam Abdul Karim Bijar, Abdul Qadir Patel and Agha Rafiullah – have submitted the bill in the National Assembly just before the end of the second parliamentary year. The bill that seeks to amend Section 5 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973 has been referred to the relevant standing committee. 

In the statement of objects and reasons, the bill said the government servants must have their stakes in the country in which they hold positions of authority, privilege and trust. 

It has been observed, it said, the government servants who hold dual nationality put at stake the interests of the country and the moment they retire, they leave the country to evade accountability. 

 “There is a need to ensure the loyalty of government servants in the light of Article 5 of the Constitution.  This bill is designed to achieve the said object,” the bill read.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Agha Rafiullah said the bill is crucial as bureaucrats have access to secret information and appointing a dual national to key government posts makes the country vulnerable.

The section 5 states that appointments to All Pakistan Service or to a civil service of the federation or to a civil post in connection with the affairs of the federation, including any civil post connected with defence, shall be made in the prescribed manner by the president or by a person authorized by him.

The PPP lawmakers have sought insertion of the phrase “provided that a civil servant holding dual nationality or citizenship of any foreign country shall not be entitled for appointment” in section 5 while substituting the full stop with a colon. 

In 2016, the act was also amended and Section 10-A (restriction on service in international organization) was inserted. Under 10-A of the act, no civil servant shall serve in any international organization, including an international non-governmental organization, financial institution and donor agency.

The restriction, however, does not apply to an official who is posted or deputed in such an organization. 

Earlier, the PML-N had sought the NA speaker’s direction for an in-depth and time-bound investigation by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) into the tax returns and wealth statements of the prime minister’s advisers and special assistants (SAPMs) while seeking removal of those with dual nationality. 

In an unprecedented move, the government in July went public with the assets and nationalities of the advisers and SAPMs, bringing to light that seven of them either had dual passports or held another country’s permanent residency.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Adviser to the PM on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan said the federal government has given the nod to introduce a bill in parliament to amend Article 63 (1)(c) of the Constitution so that dual nationals could contest elections in the country.

“However, if they secure a win in the polls, they will have to give up their citizenship of the other country before being sworn in,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had fulfilled a promise he had made to the overseas Pakistanis.