RAWALPINDI: The inspector general of police (IGP) Punjab has sought alist of DSPs/ASPs and higher-ranking officers holding dual nationalities, as some of them have been assigned sensitive and important roles across theprovince and in Islamabad.

According to official sources, the details of Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officers holding dual nationalities were required to be provided by Monday (today).

The IGP has also asked for information on how many police officials of inspector rank, inspector legal and senior traffic wardens hold dual nationalities.

In this regard, a pro forma was issued, seeking the name of the region/ unit, the name of the country for which dual citizenship is held, the date of acquiring dual citizenship and the names of officers from IP/GEB, IP/Legal, IP/Telecommunication, Fingerprint Bureau and senior traffic wardens who hold dual nationality.

The directive for submission of the list by the IGP has been issued to the police across the province,including the IGP National Highways and Motorway Police, commandant National Police Academy Islamabad and additional inspectors general of police for South Punjab, Multan, Investigation Branch, Special Branch, CTD, PHP, IAB, EPF, operations, Crime Control Department (CCD) and Training.

Moreover, all regional police officers (RPOs), DG Anti-Corruption Punjab, DG FIA Islamabad, head of the Safe Cities Authority, chief traffic officers Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, and Rawalpindi as well as all principals of Police Training Schools and the commandant Ring Road Police Lahore have been directed to provide the names, postings and dual nationality status of officers ranked DSP, ASP and above. If dual nationality is held, the name of the country must also bespecified.

A senior police officer of DIG rank said 30 to 40 per cent of officials/officers` families hold nationalities of different countries including Canada, Türkiye, UK and Malta.

This trend is reportedly more prevalent in the Punjab police compared to KP and other provinces.

Citing an example, the officer mentioned a colleague who went abroad for studies after taking extended leave from the department and returned with dual nationality.

`Once I was also advised to take the opportunity to obtain dual nationality. I turned it down, asking what would happenifstrictlegislation were introduced banning dual nationality,` he said.

`What he replied to my question was more interesting: `Who will make legislation imposing a ban on dual nationality? They91awmakers) themselves would likely hold dual nationality`,` the officer added.

Another police officer suggested that assembly members should ask not only whether police officers themselves hold dual nationality but also how many of their family members do.

Once the families of police officers/officials acquire dual nationality, it becomes much easier for the officers themselves to obtain it either after retirement or upon leaving the service.

Following the IGP`s directive, the city police officer Rawalpindi has instructed the SPs of Rawal, Potohar and Saddar divisions to provide details of any police official holding dual nationality. However, no police officials or officers posted in the Rawalpindi region were found holding dual nationality.