The federal cabinet has made it mandatory for applicants to reside in Pakistan for at least five years to qualify for citizenship.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where several important decisions were approved.
The cabinet decided the passports of individuals caught begging abroad would be confiscated and heavy fines would be imposed on them. Additionally, the cabinet approved amendments to the country’s passport and citizenship laws.
According to a private news channel, citing cabinet sources, the requirement for a minimum five-year stay in Pakistan will exclude periods spent as a refugee or diplomat. This decision comes in light of legal issues surrounding Afghan women marrying Pakistani men.
