The Federal Cabinet, in a key decision, has made it mandatory for individuals to reside in Pakistan for at least five years to be eligible for Pakistani citizenship.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Federal Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where several important matters were discussed and finalized.
The Cabinet also decided that individuals who beg abroad will have their passports confiscated and will be subject to heavy fines.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved amendments to the passport and citizenship laws. According to sources, the new rules stipulate that a minimum of five years of residence in Pakistan will be required for obtaining citizenship.
Sources further revealed that a stay in Pakistan as a refugee or diplomat will not count towards eligibility for citizenship. This decision follows the legal status granted to marriages between Afghan women and Pakistani men.
