RAWALPINDI – In a significant move aimed at institutional transparency and national integrity, the Inspector General of Punjab Police has directed all police personnel across the province to submit certificates of dual nationality status by Monday.
The directive, issued by City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani, applies to SPs, SDPOs, SHOs, and officers from the Dolphin and Elite Forces. Even those without foreign nationality are required to submit a formal declaration affirming the same. The instruction follows a similar notification circulated in May, which sought information from senior ranks, including DSPs, ASPs, and traffic wardens.
A proforma has been issued for uniform data collection, requiring details such as the officer’s region, name, rank, dual nationality status, the country of secondary citizenship, and the date it was acquired.
Rising Concerns Over Foreign Citizenship Among Officers
Sources within the police department indicate that a growing number of Punjab Police personnel—and in some cases their families—hold foreign citizenship, particularly from countries such as Canada, Turkey, the UK, and Malta. Some estimates suggest that 30–40 percent of personnel may fall under this category, a trend viewed with growing concern by top officials.
Senior officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that holding a second nationality may be perceived as a fallback option in the event of legal or institutional scrutiny, raising questions about potential conflicts of loyalty.
Support from Business Community
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed strong support for the move. LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad commended the IGP’s initiative, calling it a “vital step towards ensuring the public’s trust in state institutions.” He urged the government to expand this verification framework to other departments and institutions.
Broader Implications
Legal experts highlight that the move is in line with past Supreme Court directives and the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, which require civil servants to declare any foreign nationality and may prohibit dual citizenship in sensitive posts.
Provincial Police Chiefs, Regional Police Officers (RPOs), Training Institutions, and specialised unit heads have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the order. Officers who fail to submit the required documentation within the deadline may face administrative consequences.
The development signals a push toward enhanced accountability within law enforcement agencies and may serve as a precedent for other provinces to initiate similar transparency measures.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.