Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that a person with dual citizenship cannot become a member of National Assembly and Senate but there is no such restriction for any other position.

While speaking over the issue of dual citizenship, the Foreign Minister said that the tradition of declaring assets has been set by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).

“We have to assess what law and the constitution say on the issue of dual citizenship. Dual nationality is restricted to members of the National Assembly and Senate. There is no such restriction for any other post,” he said.

Shah Mehmood further said that no one has adopted a clear policy to avoid conflict of interest.

“In my opinion, the status of the elected representatives is superior, but experts of various fields are also needed to run affairs of state,” he added.

It should be noted that recently the issue of dual citizenship of the Special Assistants to Prime Minister has come to limelight, the details of which are brought up with reference to the sources of Cabinet Division.

According to the Cabinet Division, seven out of fifteen Advisers to the Prime Minister have dual citizenship. Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus also possesses Canadian and Singaporean citizenship.

National Security Advisor to PM Moeed Yousaf, Special Assistant to PM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and Special Assistant to PM on Parliamentary Coordination Nadeem Afzal Chan also has dual nationality.

Moreover, Special Assistant to PM on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari holds British citizenship while Special Assistant to PM on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill is an American green card holder.