Summary The notification states that any violation of these regulations will be considered misconduct.
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has made it compulsory for civil servants to obtain prior approval before marrying foreign nationals, following the approval of new regulations by Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi.
According to an official notification issued by the provincial Human Resource Management Department, failure to secure permission before such a marriage will be treated as misconduct and could result in disciplinary action under relevant service rules.
The newly introduced framework, titled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Servants (Restrictions on Marriage with Foreign National) Rules, 2026, has come into immediate effect under Section 26 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Servants Act, 1973.
Under the rules, a “foreign national” refers to any individual who is not a citizen of Pakistan, while “marriage” covers unions conducted under any legal or religious framework.
Civil servants intending to marry a foreign national must apply through proper channels and obtain government approval. Authorities will assess each case based on factors such as the nationality of the prospective spouse, Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with that country, and any potential security or service-related concerns.
The rules also require the foreign spouse to undergo security and credential clearance by relevant agencies through the Home and Tribal Affairs Department. Applicants must submit essential documents, including a character clearance certificate and an affidavit confirming that the individual has no links to criminal or anti-state activities.
Additionally, cases of government employees who have already married foreign nationals without prior approval will be reviewed anew by the authorities.
The notification states that any violation of these regulations will be considered misconduct, making the employee liable to strict penalties under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2011.
However, the government retains the authority to relax these rules in specific cases, provided that reasons are documented in writing.
