Afghan citizenship

[Toramana]

Lately, I have come to know that by Afghan law an inhabitant of another country including Pashtuns from Pakistan cannot become citizens of Afghanistan although there is some temporary citizenship kind of permanent resident-ship status for FATA Pashtuns.

I came to know of this when one individual complained about this despite marriage in an family of Afg and stay in Afg for almost one and half a decade. I didn't believe it but later I confirmed it and this was true. One Mahmoud Khanai gave me the justification that Afghan govt does this because if it gave citizenship to a Pashtun from KPK for example, his/her Pakistani citizenship would be cancelled. But it isn't convincing because I think the decision to go for either one citizenship or the other should be left to the individual.

I think it is likewise in Pakistan although many Afghans (I think a large number of) have become nationals of Pakistan now.

Don't we need to work on it on both sides?

[tor_khan]

I'm sure this used to be different. In the 80s my uncle studied in Kabul and was married there. Same with my grandmother's cousin and my grandfather's brother.

Some of my brother-in-law's family are Afghan citizens, when it is clear that their grandfather's village is in Pakistan.

[Toramana]

I'm sure this used to be different. In the 80s my uncle studied in Kabul and was married there. Same with my grandmother's cousin and my grandfather's brother.

Some of my brother-in-law's family are Afghan citizens, when it is clear that their grandfather's village is in Pakistan.

Are you sure about this? I got the information from a very authentic source. I assume before 1947, it was possible for a person from KPK to get Afg citizenship. In fact, many from Bajuar, Momand, Dir, Kohistan, etc. settled in Kunduz, etc. at the end of 19th century or the beginning of 20th century.

But I guess later it changed due to the demographic sensitivities (and political implications) of Afg rulers and also of the minorities. Even today, it can be a sensitive/important matter from the point of view of ethnic minorities as well as majority e.g. opening room for Uzbak, Tajak, Pashtun, etc. settlement in Afg.

[tor_khan]

^There may have be ways of acquiring citizenship that don't go through official channels.

I know that in the case of my brother-in-law's family who are Afghan citizens that whilst they were born there their father wasn't.

[torkham]

Afghan nationality law decree that citizenship of Afghanistan is inherited from the father.
Any one claiming citizenship has to show evidence through birth certificates and tazkara to show blood link to ancestor, father, grandfather - males.
Why males? It might be historical patrilinial cultural reasons.

Similar nationality laws are found in Arab countries. E.g., I lived in AlKhobar for many years, my brother was born there - we are not eligible for Saudi passports. Even if a foreigner marries an Emirati woman, neither the husband nor her children will acquire Emirati nationality.

However, I think there are some tribes of FATA that may be able to contest acquisition of Afghan citizenship, based on the words of Emir Abdul Rahman during the Durand line fiasco, words to effect 'assured tribes will remain connected to Afghanistan' referring to Shinwari, Momands and Safi.

[Friend]

The doers find loopholes in the legal system, it very common in Pakistan and Afghanistan where the Administration system is quite weak.

[Toramana]

Lol, there is so much Punjabi bashing here but I visited Chakwal sometimes back and found kochis of Afghanistan to be heavily involved in mineral exploration there---pretty prosperous community---You can find Pashtuns and Afghans as far as in Kashmir, etc.

[Toramana]

Afghan nationality law decree that citizenship of Afghanistan is inherited from the father.
Any one claiming citizenship has to show evidence through birth certificates and tazkara to show blood link to ancestor, father, grandfather - males.
Why males? It might be historical patrilinial cultural reasons.

Similar nationality laws are found in Arab countries. E.g., I lived in AlKhobar for many years, my brother was born there - we are not eligible for Saudi passports. Even if a foreigner marries an Emirati woman, neither the husband nor her children will acquire Emirati nationality.

However, I think there are some tribes of FATA that may be able to contest acquisition of Afghan citizenship, based on the words of Emir Abdul Rahman during the Durand line fiasco, words to effect 'assured tribes will remain connected to Afghanistan' referring to Shinwari, Momands and Safi.

That affirms my information. This means until one's father or grand-father is from Afghanistan, it isn't possible to acquire Afghan citizenship through naturalization. So, the only option can be an Afghan father and non-Afghan mother (e.g father from Afg mother from KPK).

[torkham]

^There may have be ways of acquiring citizenship that don't go through official channels.

I know that in the case of my brother-in-law's family who are Afghan citizens that whilst they were born there their father wasn't.

There are many who got afghan tazkaras, effectively citizenship, through 'dwa shahada' method. Basically get hold of two afghans who are willing to vouch for you as a bona fide afghan. This is no longer accepted, words of MoI guy who I met this year. In the past this two testifiers method may have been abused.

[Friend]

Lol, there is so much Punjabi bashing here but I visited Chakwal sometimes back and found kochis of Afghanistan to be heavily involved in mineral exploration there---pretty prosperous community---You can find Pashtuns and Afghans as far as in Kashmir, etc.

Ahan... You been to chakwal ? Its a nice place, chwa syyeda and dandot are famous for coal minning. Someone took me to his mines Chakwal and he showed me Afghans have their villages lol.
It was amazing.

[Toramana]

Ahan... You been to chakwal ? Its a nice place, chwa syyeda and dandot are famous for coal minning. Someone took me to his mines Chakwal and he showed me Afghans have their villages lol.
It was amazing.

So you have been to Chakwal, haan Taikadar Saib?

[Friend]

So you have been to Chakwal, haan Taikadar Saib?

You are a bigger taikadaar because you went first

[Pisho]

Yes its true even in other countries u cannot have dual citizenship..
And i mean if ur gonna live in Afg why not just leave pak passport thats what i would do anyways

[Toramana]

Yes its true even in other countries u cannot have dual citizenship..
And i mean if ur gonna live in Afg why not just leave pak passport thats what i would do anyways

I will do that but until my father is a citizen of Afghanistan by birth, I cannot be a citizen of Afghanistan. The guy I mentioned who married into the elite Afghan family built his house in Rawalpindi may be out of frustration.

It is not a matter of dual citizenship.

I know a family who has settled permanently in KPK ironically through support from one kattas Pakistani patriot.

[Friend]

I will do that but until my father is a citizen of Afghanistan by birth, I cannot be a citizen of Afghanistan. The guy I mentioned who married into the elite Afghan family built his house in Rawalpindi and also got his daughters married to non-Pashtuns (Hindko-speaking) may be out of frustration.

It is not a matter of dual citizenship.

I know a family who has settled permanently in KPK ironically through support from one kattas Pakistani patriot (the actor Khalid Rauf who later died in an accident).

Khalid Rauf a director ?