Dual nationality enigma

Dual citizenship undermines state loyalty when held by officials

National identity is a source of pride and is in need of being upheld. The phenomenon of dual citizenship, however, is subjective, and people who go on to make a fortune in greener pastures have the right under the International Law to share their sense of belonging. In lieu, they become a source of foreign remittances to their motherland, and are a cherished outcome in terms of social mobility.

At the same time, it is a foregone conclusion that under the canons of morality and loyalty to the state, no government functionary or legislator should be a dual national, as it comes to compromise national security as well as the oath of allegiance. That is why, as a thumb rule, holding foreign citizenship is discouraged by law till the incumbent is in public service. Thus, the move on the part of a parliamentary committee of the lower house to table legislation to outlaw the wearing of two flags by civil, military and judicial bureaucracy is lawfully and politically-correct.

The issue gathers momentum as lawmakers often go on to question why bureaucrats are allowed to have dual citizenship. A standing committee of the National Assembly was recently informed that over 22,000 bureaucrats in Pakistan hold dual nationality. The defence minister, too, is on record having said that senior civil servants are acquiring Portugal's nationality and buying offshore properties. This thickens the plot as it also hints at living beyond a lawful source of income, along with the privilege of manning the national exchequer in an edifice that is rotten to the core, and where corruption is rampant.

On the lines of parliamentarians being denied the right to have a foreign nationality, the legislation bar should be extended to the bureaucracy too. No impediments from the Babus should stand in the way, and it is incumbent upon the parliament to go ahead in all sincerity to undo this trend of citizenship moonlighting. Likewise, there should be a bar for instantly abandoning the country upon retirement, or at the end of a parliamentary term in case of lawmakers, to safeguard their credentials and credibility in all humility.