ISLAMABAD – Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) submitted a bill in the National Assembly for restriction on judges holding dual nationality amid the controversy related to a judge of Islamabad High Court.
Noor Alam Khan introduced the bill proposing amendments to articles 177, 193, and 208 of the Constitution, which pertain to the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts, and the officers and servants of courts.
JUI-F called for an amendment to ensure judges’ loyalty to the state by prohibiting those with dual citizenship from serving in High Courts and Supreme Court.
In the bill, the political party argues that judges with dual nationality may put national interests in jeopardy, stressing the need for their allegiance to the Constitution.
The issue of dual national judges remains in the limelight as Islamabad High Court (IHC) Registrar’s Office replied to Senator Faisal Vawda, saying dual citizenship does not disqualify someone from becoming a judge under Pakistan’s Constitution.
Last month, Islamabad High Court clarified that Justice Babar Sattar does not hold dual nationality, while addressing a social media campaign against him. The court said Justice Sattar has always been solely a Pakistani national.
The social media campaign included the posting of confidential information, such as the travel documents of Justice Sattar and his family, along with false allegations and property details from his tax returns.
This campaign followed a letter from six IHC judges to the Supreme Judicial Council, in which Justice Sattar was a signatory, calling for a judicial convention to address alleged intelligence agencies’ interference in the judiciary.
Constitution places no bar on dual citizenship of judge: IHC
