Responses to Information Requests

​​​​​​​Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) are research reports on country conditions. They are requested by IRB decision-makers.

The database contains a seven-year archive of English and French RIRs. Earlier RIRs may be found on the European Country of Origin Information Network website.

RIR​s published by the IRB on its website may have attachments that are inaccessible due to technical constraints and may include translations of documents originally written in languages other than English or French. To obtain a copy of such attachments and/or translated version of the RIR attachments, please email us.​

Related Links

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Responses to Information Requests (RIRs) cite publicly accessible information available at the time of publication and within time constraints. A list of references and additional sources consulted are included in each RIR. Sources cited are considered the most current information available as of the date of the RIR.            

RIRs are not, and do not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Rather, they are intended to support the refugee determination process. More information on the methodology used by the Research Directorate can be found here.          

The assessment and weight to be given to the information in the RIRs are the responsibility of independent IRB members (decision-makers) after considering the evidence and arguments presented by the parties.           

The information presented in RIRs solely reflects the views and perspectives of the sources cited and does not necessarily reflect the position of the IRB or the Government of Canada.          

28 November 2012

PAK104247.E

Pakistan: Whether a former Pakistani citizen can reacquire his/her Pakistani citizenship, including requirements and procedures

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Loss of Pakistani Citizenship

The Pakistan Citizenship Act of 1951 indicates that an individual of Pakistan, who upon acquiring foreign citizenship, makes a declaration renouncing his or her Pakistani citizenship and the declaration is registered by the government authorities, ceases to be a citizen of Pakistan upon such registration (Pakistan 1951, Sec. 14-A).

2. Resumption of Pakistani Citizenship

According to the Pakistan Citizenship Rules of 1952, individuals may declare their intentions to reacquire citizenship of Pakistan (ibid. 1952, Sec. 19B). The Rules indicate that

  1. A declaration under the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 14A of the Act shall be made in quadruplicate in form ‘Y’-
    1. If the person making the declaration is residing in a foreign country, to the Pakistan Mission or Consulate in that country; and
    2. in any other case, to the Director of Immigration and Passport, through the Provincial Government concerned.
  2. Such declaration shall be registered by the Director of Immigration and Passports and the person concerned shall become a citizen of Pakistan from the date of such declaration.
  3. There shall be kept by the Director of Immigration and Passport a register in Form ‘Y I’ containing the names of persons whose declaration of intention to resume Pakistan citizenship are registered under this rule. (ibid.)

However, during a 19 November 2012 telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an official of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Toronto indicated that a former Pakistani citizen who renounced his or her citizenship, "cannot reacquire" Pakistani citizenship (ibid. 19 Nov. 2012). In order to travel to Pakistan, he or she has to apply for a Pakistani visa (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Pakistan. 19 November 2012. Consulate General of Pakistan in Toronto. Telephone interview with an official.

_____. 1952. Pakistan Citizenship Rules. <http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6b4fc1c.html> [Accessed 21 Nov. 2012]

_____. 1951. Pakistan Citizenship Act. <http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6b4ffa.html> [Accessed 13 Nov. 2012]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral Sources: Attempts to contact representatives of the following organizations were unsuccessful: Academics at the Lahore University and University of Birmingham; Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; Human Rights journalist; lawyers in Pakistan; Pakistan – consulates of Pakistan in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, Vancouver, embassies of Pakistan in France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Washington DC, High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa, Honorary Consulate General of Pakistan in Boston, Ministry of Interior.

Officials of the High Commission of Canada in Pakistan were unable to provide information within the time constraints of this Response.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; BBC; Council on Foreign Relations; Daily Times; Factiva; Freedom House; Help Line Law; HG.org; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; Interpol; Irin News; The Nation; Nyasa Times; Pakistan – Consulate General of Pakistan in Montreal, Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, Consulate General of Pakistan in Toronto, Consulate General of Pakistan in Vancouver, Embassy of Pakistan in Moscow, Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC, High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Interior, National Assembly of Pakistan, Police; The Times of India; UN – Refworld; US Department of State.

​​
​​

​​​