ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior has approved the Citizenship Amendment Bill, under which overseas Pakistanis can reclaim their Pakistani citizenship.
The committee, headed by Khurram Nawaz, was told by the Law Ministry that the amendment addresses an old issue that affects Pakistanis who had to renounce their citizenship after acquiring citizenship in countries without dual citizenship agreements.
“We are amending the law to restore the citizenship of those who have lost their citizenship due to these limitations,” a ministry representative said.
The Director General Passport added that Pakistan has now signed dual citizenship agreements with 22 more countries. Citizens of these countries will no longer need to renounce their Pakistani citizenship.
Chairman Khurram Nawaz welcomed the move, saying that overseas Pakistanis do not need to choose their homeland and adopted country.
PTI leader Zartaj Gul Wazir also supported the bill and demanded an independent passport authority. She praised the performance of DG Passport and stressed on steps for better service delivery and transparency, saying, “The passport department generates huge revenue and it should be given autonomy like NADRA.”
About The Author
