The Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced its verdict on a suo motu case pertaining to dual nationalities of government officers, and directed the government to not appoint dual nationals to top posts and to draft laws in this regard after approval from the Cabinet.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar heard the case.
On September 24, the Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on the case, and had issued notices to the attorney general and the four provincial advocate generals in this regard.
Earlier, the chief justice had sought a list of dual nationals appointed to top government posts across the country.
During the hearing yesterday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) submitted a list of around 1,000 dual nationals holding government offices.
“719 officers had declared their dual national status, while the others had hidden it,” the FIA informed the court.
The Supreme Court bench then announced the verdict on the case, and directed the government to draft laws in this regard after approval from the Cabinet.
In its 52-page written verdict, the top court said that dual national cannot be employed because they are a threat to the interests of the state.
“We cannot lose sight of the fact that divided loyalty does not necessarily mean disloyalty to Pakistan. Nonetheless, a real concern as raised by the opponents of dual nationality is that of divided loyalties leading to potential national security risks,” the verdict stated.
“It is in light of both the advantages and disadvantages of dual nationality that leads us to consider the adoption of a balanced approach where certain important positions in government service and public offices, where indeed complete and undivided loyalty to Pakistan is required, ought to be restricted to those who are citizens of Pakistan only,” it said.
The apex court also directed the federal and provincial governments to set deadlines for dual national officials to either quit their job or give up their second nationality.
The bench further said that failure to relinquish their other nationalities within the given time frame could result in legal action.
During the last hearing, the Supreme Court’s appointed adviser, Shahid Hamid, had said that dual nationals should not hold government office.
“It will be better if the court lets the Parliament and government make a decision in this regard,” he had added.
Meanwhile, on another case, the Supreme Court has issued orders to place Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Afzal Khokhar and his aide Saiful Malook Khokhar on the Exit Control List (ECL).
The orders were issued on Thursday by a two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Nisar, at the Lahore registry on the suo motu notice on as many as 22 encroachments on land owned by Lahore Development Authority (LDA) in different parts of Lahore.
The top judge directed the Khokhar brothers to submit their property documents before the court.
“It’s better if you give the grabbed property back to the widows and overseas Pakistanis,” Nisar told Saiful Mulook Khokhar. “If the grabbing is proven I won’t spare you. Everyone knows I do what I say.”
“It’s better if you don’t risk your (membership of the provincial assembly),” the chief justice warned.
Nisar directed the police and the LDA to recover the land allegedly grabbed by the Khokhar brothers.
“We have received complaints from widows and orphans. Can’t spare those who have annexed their land,” the chief justice remarked.
The chief justice asked Khokar brothers about their relationship with property dealer Ashraf Shah.
Both respondents denied knowing him.
The court then ordered an open court hearing on the alleged land grabbing by the Khokhar brothers.
The hearing has been adjourned until December 22.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar
