ISLAMABAD: The federal government has enforced sweeping new disclosure requirements for civil servants, making it mandatory for all government employees to declare any foreign citizenship, passports, residency status, or immigration affiliations held by themselves, their spouses, or dependent children.
The new framework, titled the Civil Servants (Disclosure and Regulation of Foreign Nationality) Rules, 2026, has been formally approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and notified by the Establishment Division.
Mandatory declarations at appointment and annually
Under the rules, all civil servants will be required to submit a detailed declaration regarding foreign nationality or travel documents at the time of appointment. The disclosure must also be updated annually throughout their service.
Existing government employees have been given a 90-day deadline to declare any foreign citizenship, foreign passport, permanent residency, or immigration status held by themselves or their dependent family members.
Officials said the measure is aimed at strengthening transparency, improving institutional oversight, and ensuring greater accountability within the federal bureaucracy.
Centralized database to track disclosures
According to the notification, the Establishment Division will maintain a centralized digital database containing foreign nationality disclosures of civil servants.
Relevant ministries, divisions, and cadre-controlling authorities will be responsible for verifying, updating, and monitoring records of officers working under their administrative control.
The rules make it compulsory to disclose:
- Foreign citizenship or dual nationality
- Foreign passports or travel documents
- Permanent residency or immigration status
- Participation in foreign immigration or citizenship programs
Prior approval required for foreign nationality
The government has also imposed restrictions on acquiring foreign nationality during service.
Civil servants will not be allowed to obtain foreign citizenship or foreign travel documents without prior approval from the competent authority. However, this restriction will not apply to officers who hold foreign citizenship by birth or descent.
Officials clarified that such cases must still be disclosed, even if approval is not required.
Strict penalties for concealment or false declarations
The rules introduce stringent disciplinary measures for non-compliance.
Any civil servant found concealing foreign citizenship, foreign passports, or immigration-related affiliations will face departmental proceedings. Failure to disclose such information has been formally classified as misconduct under the Civil Servants Act, 1973.
Moreover, the notification states that if an officer provides false or incorrect information, their appointment may be declared void ab initio, meaning it can be cancelled retrospectively at any stage of service.
Authorities have also been directed to scrutinize and verify declarations to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Part of broader governance reforms
Officials familiar with the matter said the disclosure rules form part of broader administrative reforms aimed at improving integrity, reducing conflicts of interest, and aligning Pakistan’s civil service practices with international governance standards.
The move comes amid increased scrutiny of public office holders’ foreign affiliations and is expected to have a significant impact on recruitment, promotions, and postings within the civil service
