[Please refer to How to Read a Country Entry for help interpreting this material. It was produced prior to March 2001 as part of a US government report entitled Citizenship Laws of the World. The accuracy and depth of these country listings varies significantly, and some information may be incorrect. At best, this page presents only part of the story for a particular country. Additional information for this country may be available in Country Information]

PAKISTAN

CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship laws are based upon the Pakistan Citizenship Act of April 13, 1951. (UKC-Commonwealth Nation)

BY BIRTH: Child born after April 13, 1951, in the territory of Pakistan, regardless of the country of birth. The exceptions are the children of certain diplomatic personnel. Persons born in Pakistani territory on or before April 13, 1951 are granted citizenship Person who was born in Pakistan or whose parents or grandparents were born in Pakistan and who had permanently resided in the country since August 14, 1947. A person naturalized as a British subject in Pakistan, and who had renounced any foreign citizenship acquired after birth. Person who before April 13, 1951 had migrated to Pakistan from the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent with the intention of residing permanently in Pakistan.

BY DESCENT: Child born after April 13, 1951 of a native-born Pakistani father, regardless of the child's country of birth. Child born abroad after April 13, 1951, of a Pakistani father not born in Pakistan, is a citizen only if the child is registered at the nearest Pakistani Consulate or Mission.

MARRIAGE: A foreign woman who marries a citizen of Pakistan is eligible for Pakistani citizenship.

BY NATURALIZATION: No information was provided.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED. Exception: Child born abroad who obtains the citizenship of the country of birth may retain dual citizenship until age 21. The person must then renounce the other citizenship or Pakistani citizenship will be revoked.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Pakistani citizenship is permitted by law. Contact the Embassy for details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Pakistani citizenship: Person obtains foreign citizenship. Naturalized citizenship was obtained through fraud or falsity. Naturalized citizen shows disloyalty to government. Naturalized citizen is convicted of a crime in first five years of citizenship. Citizen has resided outside the country for over seven years without registering with the Pakistani Consulate.

ANY QUESTIONS concerning citizenship should be directed to the address below:

Embassy of Pakistan Consular Section 2315 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008

Embassy Telephone: 202-939-6200 www.pakistan-embassy.com Consular Telephone: 202-939-6261 www.pak.gov.pkFax: 202-387-0484

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