ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Senate has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to compile and submit detailed information regarding tax officials holding dual nationality, as part of a parliamentary review process.
The directive was issued following a request from the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, routed through the Establishment Division. Authorities have been asked to provide particulars of officers in Basic Pay Scale (BS) 17 and above serving in both Inland Revenue and Customs wings.
Under the instructions, senior FBR officials—including director generals, chief commissioners, and collectors—must furnish data of officers under their jurisdiction who hold foreign nationality alongside Pakistani citizenship. The collected information will be consolidated and forwarded to the Establishment Division for onward submission to the Senate Secretariat.
Officials have been directed to submit details in a prescribed format, covering name, parentage, CNIC number, service group or ex-cadre status, current posting, pay scale, foreign nationality, and date of acquisition.
The move reflects broader parliamentary oversight efforts to improve transparency and accountability within key state institutions. Lawmakers have increasingly expressed concerns about dual nationality among public servants, especially those working in sensitive or strategic positions.
The issue has remained under discussion in Pakistan for years, with debates centering on potential conflicts of interest, questions of allegiance, and legal implications. While Pakistani law allows dual nationality with certain countries, restrictions may apply to specific public offices.
The FBR has been instructed to submit the required data by April 30, 2026, highlighting the urgency attached to the Senate’s inquiry.
