The government has introduced the Pakistan Citizenship Amendment Bill 2025, designed to protect the citizenship rights of Pakistanis who acquire foreign nationalities. The bill was presented in the National Assembly by Minister of State Talal Chaudhry.
Currently, Pakistanis who obtain citizenship of another country risk losing their Pakistani nationality. Under the proposed changes, this would no longer happen automatically.
Instead, the bill aims to officially recognize dual nationals as full citizens of Pakistan, allowing them to keep their rights while holding another country’s passport.
According to the minister, the legislation will also bring Pakistan’s laws in line with various international agreements the country has already signed. The move is being promoted as a way to address the concerns of overseas Pakistanis, many of whom have long sought clarity and security about their legal status.
While the proposal was welcomed by some, it also faced criticism in parliament. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Naveed Qamar expressed concern over the government’s frequent use of ordinances and called for all major legal reforms to go through thorough parliamentary debate. He stressed that proper legislative procedures are necessary for transparency and accountability.
The bill will now move forward in the legislative process, where it will be reviewed, debated, and possibly amended before becoming law.
If passed, it could mark a significant change in how Pakistan treats its citizens abroad, strengthening ties with the large Pakistani diaspora and giving them greater confidence in maintaining their connection to the country.
