Islamabad: Dual Nationals in Civil Service May Have to Choose Between Job and Citizenship Under Proposed 27th Amendment

ISLAMABAD: Report by M.Saleem

The federal government is considering introducing a new constitutional clause through the 27th Amendment, which would require civil servants holding dual nationality to choose between their government employment and foreign citizenship, official sources revealed.

According to the proposal, the amendment seeks to align civil service eligibility with constitutional restrictions already imposed on public office holders under Article 63(1)(c), which bars members of parliament from holding dual nationality. The government’s argument, sources said, is that if lawmakers cannot retain dual citizenship, the same rule should apply to civil servants.

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is currently deliberating on the proposed amendment, with most members reportedly supporting the move.

The upcoming 27th Amendment reportedly also includes provisions to formalize the Field Marshal rank within the Constitution by amending Article 243, as well as proposals to establish constitutional courts, extend executive magistrate powers to the district level, and move toward a uniform national curriculum.

Government insiders indicated that the draft of the 27th Amendment Bill could be presented for approval next week, marking a significant development in Pakistan’s ongoing constitutional reforms.