Dual Pakistani and US Citizenship by default?

J

john_doe

Registered Users (C)
Hello,

I obtained my US citizenship a few years ago. I was formerly a Pakistani citizen. I am confused as to whether I hold dual Pakistani-US citizenship by default, although I have never had any intention of holding on to my Pakistani Citizenship after attaining my US citizenship. Does anyone know if I need to go through some process with the Pakistani consulate to officially renounce my Pakistani citizenship, or is it sufficient that I have no intention of maintaining my Pakistani citizenship?

The reason I am concerned about this is that I am in the process of applying for a US national security position which requires that I do NOT have dual citizenship.

Thanks.
 
john_doe said:
Hello,

I obtained my US citizenship a few years ago. I was formerly a Pakistani citizen. I am confused as to whether I hold dual Pakistani-US citizenship by default, although I have never had any intention of holding on to my Pakistani Citizenship after attaining my US citizenship. Does anyone know if I need to go through some process with the Pakistani consulate to officially renounce my Pakistani citizenship, or is it sufficient that I have no intention of maintaining my Pakistani citizenship?

The reason I am concerned about this is that I am in the process of applying for a US national security position which requires that I do NOT have dual citizenship.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


I guess you need to formally renounce your Pakistani citizenship to lose it. Check with the Pakistani Embassy or Consulate.

According to Wikipedia:

Since independence, the growth of expatriate Pakistani communities in the Middle East, Europe and North America has led to several changes in Pakistani nationality law. Although holding dual citizenship was not permitted under the 1951 law, the Government of Pakistan now recognizes and allows its citizens to also hold the citizenships of 16 countries:

United Kingdom
Italy
France
Belgium
Iceland
Australia
New Zealand
Sweden
United States
Ireland
Netherlands
Switzerland
Canada
Egypt
Jordan
Syria
 
Last edited by a moderator:
nwctzn said:
I guess you need to formally renounce your Pakistani citizenship to lose it. Check with the Pakistani Embassy or Consulate.

According to Wikipedia:

Since independence, the growth of expatriate Pakistani communities in the Middle East, Europe and North America has led to several changes in Pakistani nationality law. Although holding dual citizenship was not permitted under the 1951 law, the Government of Pakistan now recognizes and allows its citizens to also hold the citizenships of 16 countries:

United Kingdom
Italy
France
Belgium
Iceland
Australia
New Zealand
Sweden
United States
Ireland
Netherlands
Switzerland
Canada
Egypt
Jordan
Syria
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. I wasn't able to find any information on whether former Pakistani Citizens maintain that citizenship by default after attaining US citizenship. However, I saw a section on the Pakistan Consulate website with instructions on renunciation of Pakistani Citizenship & NICOP (National Identity Card). But it looks like I have to fill out a bunch of forms and spend a couple hundred dollars - so would like to avoid all that unless it is actually required in my case.
 
This is an interesting topic. Once you have the answer, please post the results.

Must a Pakistani national request dual citizenship status from the Pakistani government after naturalizing in the U.S.?
OR
Must a Pakistani national renounce dual citizenship automatically conferred by the Pakistani laws after naturalizing in the U.S.?
 
You will not lose your Pakistani citizenship automatically by becoming a US citizen.

john_doe said:
I am confused as to whether I hold dual Pakistani-US citizenship by default, although I have never had any intention of holding on to my Pakistani Citizenship after attaining my US citizenship.
Click to expand...
 
This list is on paper only. Pakistan will allow is citizens to hold any other citizenship.

nwctzn said:
Although holding dual citizenship was not permitted under the 1951 law, the Government of Pakistan now recognizes and allows its citizens to also hold the citizenships of 16 countries:
Click to expand...
 
Triple Citizen said:
This list is on paper only. Pakistan will allow is citizens to hold any other citizenship.
Click to expand...

I think it is not true in all cases. One of my friend who has German citizenship lived in Pakistan, when tried to get Pakistani passport they asked him to renounce German citizenship first.
 
I will tag this episode as an attempt by a bureaucrat to get his palm greased. My father worked for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 34 years. Pakistan has no issues with its citizens holding other citizenships. Many of Pakistan's upper and lower house members are dual citizens :)

MA_05 said:
I think it is not true in all cases. One of my friend who has German citizenship lived in Pakistan, when tried to get Pakistani passport they asked him to renounce German citizenship first.
Click to expand...
 
I have US and Pakistani Valid Passport. Don't have pakistani visa or NICOP. I already booked the ticket for pakistan but i m worried about
Pakistani visa. Can i travel to pakistani in this scenario ? If yes what passport i will use while going to Pakistan and what passport
i will use while coming back to US. Pease advice and share your exeperiences. I will be very thankful to you.

Thanks
Aamir
 
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