Pakistan-born Afghan denied citizenship

Every child born in Pakistan is entitled to citizenship: IHC CJ

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the Ministry of Interior to decide the application of the 24-year-old Afghan, who was born in Pakistan, seeking the country’s citizenship according to law and submit a report by next Friday.

The court has also sought an implementation report by next Friday.

It also directed full implementation of the decision given in the case of Senator Hamdullah.

During the hearing conducted by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minullah, Advocate Umar Ijaz Gilani appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioner.

The chief justice remarked that any child born in Pakistan will become a citizen of Pakistan. The child will only need a birth certificate, he added.

Like the United States and some other countries, our law is also bound to give citizenship to every child born in Pakistan, he further said.

Advocate Gilani said that his client had spent 24 years in Pakistan without any citizenship.

The counsel for the Ministry of Home Affairs said that a decision would be taken on the verification of the birth certificate of the 24-year-old Afghan.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case till next Friday while seeking an implementation report from the interior ministry.