You may have often wondered which documents are required for someone to prove their citizenship in Pakistan. While many assume the answer is simple but in reality the list is surprising. The documents that truly establish citizenship in Pakistan are not always the ones people expect, and understanding them tells more about the legal identity in the country.
Which is the most important document?
In Pakistan, having just one document is not enough to prove a person’s citizenship. Instead, an individual is required present several documents to establish their citizenship. A CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) is the primary, mandatory ID for citizens in Pakistan, which is issued by the government agency, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). It is the most important document for proving citizenship in Pakistan. CNIC features a unique 13-digit number. In addition, a Family Registration Certificate and birth records also need to be shown in Pakistan.
NADRA records
NADRA’s records are considered the strongest proof of citizenship in the country. According to reports, the final decision on citizenship in the country is determined by data from NADRA. This implies means that any discrepancy in these records can put a person’s citizenship at risk.
Verification of parents’ citizenship
Moreover, if the parents’ documents are incomplete, the child’s citizenship also comes into question. Simply being born in Pakistan is not enough to establish citizenship, it must also be proven that the parents are Pakistani citizens.
Old documents
In many cases, documents that are 30-40 years old, such as land records or old voter lists are also requested. If the authorities have even the slightest suspicion, a person’s CNIC may be temporarily or permanently blocked. If even a minor discrepancy is found in a citizen’s records, the government can declare them a foreign national. This then leads to years of legal proceedings as proving citizenship often involves appeals, investigations, witnesses, and court appearances, consuming a significant portion of a person’s life.
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