The federal government plans to take strict action against senior government officers who have failed to declare their dual citizenship or submit the required declarations.
The Establishment Division has sent a detailed summary to the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking permission to begin disciplinary proceedings against the officers.
According to the report, the proposed action will target senior bureaucrats in Grades 20, 21 and 22 who have not submitted their declarations.
However, the action still requires final approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Officers could face dismissal or forced retirement
The Establishment Division has requested formal authority to take disciplinary action against officers who failed to submit the required affidavits and citizenship declarations.
The proposed penalties include stopping promotions, compulsory retirement and dismissal from government service.
Once the prime minister approves the summary, the authorities will issue show-cause notices to the officers concerned.
These notices will require officials to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.
According to Establishment Division, there are 2,917 government officers covered by the declaration requirement.
However, 62.5 per cent of these officers have not submitted their declarations.
Approximately 1,823 officers have yet to complete the required process.
Among those who submitted their declarations, only 8.68 per cent reported holding foreign citizenship.
Moreover, the officers who have not submitted their declarations belong to several important government departments and service groups, including Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service of Pakistan, Secretariat Group and Office Management Group.
The proposed action aims to ensure that officers follow the required disclosure procedures.
However, failing to submit a declaration does not automatically prove that an officer holds dual citizenship.
The move could increase scrutiny of citizenship declarations among senior federal government officers.
NADRA update overseas Pakistanis
Previously, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) clarified that overseas Pakistanis can use their foreign mobile numbers to create accounts on the Pak ID mobile application and apply for identity documents, including the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).
During a NADRA podcast, a Pakistani citizen living in Canada asked how overseas Pakistanis could apply for NICOP using their foreign mobile numbers.
Responding to the question, NADRA spokesperson Syed Shabahat Ali explained that applicants do not need a Pakistani mobile number to register on the Pak ID app. Instead, they can select their country of residence and enter a mobile number issued in that country.
