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Citizenship by descent in Pakistan refers to the process through which individuals acquire Pakistani citizenship through their parents, even if they are born outside of Pakistan. This is governed by the Pakistan Citizenship Act of 1951, which outlines the rules for acquiring nationality, including by descent.
Citizenship by Birth and Descent:
A person born outside Pakistan can acquire Pakistani citizenship if at least one of their parents is a Pakistani citizen at the time of their birth. This is regardless of where the individual is born.
Children of Pakistani Citizens:
If a child is born abroad, they can still be considered a Pakistani citizen if their father (or mother, if the father is deceased or has lost his nationality) is a Pakistani citizen.
A child born to Pakistani parents outside the country must apply for citizenship through the Pakistani embassy or consulate, and they will typically be issued a Pakistani national identity card upon verification of their parentage.
Dual Citizenship:
Pakistan does not formally recognize dual citizenship in the case of its citizens, though there are specific provisions where individuals holding dual nationality may be treated differently. For example, someone acquiring citizenship by descent may still hold the citizenship of the country of their birth.
Registration of Citizenship:
In cases where the child is born abroad, the parents must register the birth with the Pakistani authorities at the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate to ensure that the child’s citizenship is recognized and recorded.
In essence, citizenship by descent allows individuals born outside Pakistan to claim Pakistani nationality based on their parent(s)' Pakistani citizenship.