ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended a Peshawar High Court (PHC) decision that granted Pakistani citizenship to an Afghan national based on his marriage to a Pakistani woman.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed heard the case concerning the issuance of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC) to the Afghan national.
Additional Attorney General Rana Asadullah appeared before the court and argued that the federal government had already filed an appeal against the PHC’s December 1, 2023 verdict. The High Court had ruled that if an Afghan man marries a Pakistani woman, he should be eligible for a POC and citizenship. However, the government objected to the part of the verdict concerning citizenship.
Justice Musarrat Hilali asked on what basis citizenship could be granted and inquired about the total number of applicants. The Additional Attorney General informed the court that 117 applicants had come forward so far. Justice Hilali remarked that these were only those who had surfaced.
The counsel for NADRA stated that an Afghan man marrying a Pakistani woman must also hold a valid visa. Justice Hilali observed that it was important to determine whether a person entered the country legally or illegally.
The Additional Attorney General further informed the apex court that contempt petitions were also being filed in light of the PHC’s decision.
The Supreme Court issued notices to all parties, suspended the PHC ruling, and adjourned further hearings on the case.
