Affidavit of Nationality (Pakistan)

An Affidavit of Nationality in Pakistan evidences the deponent's sworn confirmation of the matters stated, for use where formal proof is needed.

Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 establishes three primary routes to Pakistani citizenship: citizenship by birth (Section 4), citizenship by descent (Section 5), and citizenship by registration (Sections 6-10). Every person born in Pakistan before the commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 who was a citizen of Pakistan on that date, and every person born in Pakistan after commencement whose father is a citizen of Pakistan at the time of birth, is a citizen by birth under Section 4. A person born outside Pakistan whose father is a Pakistani citizen is a citizen by descent under Section 5, subject to registration requirements. The Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 was significantly amended by the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2000 and by subsequent ordinances.

The Constitution of Pakistan 1973 (Article 260 and Third Schedule) also defines citizenship for the purposes of constitutional rights and obligations — including the right to vote under Article 226, the right to hold public office, and fundamental rights guaranteed under Part II of the Constitution. An Affidavit of Nationality may reference both the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 and the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 to establish the legal basis of the deponent's citizenship claim.

The instrument must be executed on non-judicial stamp paper of the denomination prescribed by the provincial Board of Revenue under the Stamp Act 1899 — typically PKR 50 to PKR 100. Under Section 35 of the Stamp Act 1899, an unstamped affidavit is inadmissible as evidence. The deponent's nationality is established by reference to the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) under the NADRA Ordinance 2000, which is the authoritative identity document for Pakistani citizens. For overseas Pakistanis, the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) issued by NADRA serves the same evidential function.

A false declaration in an Affidavit of Nationality — for example, falsely claiming Pakistani citizenship to obtain a CNIC or travel document — constitutes perjury under Section 193 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860 (PPC) and may additionally attract prosecution for making a false statement to obtain citizenship documents under the NADRA Ordinance 2000. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is Pakistan's primary authority for investigating citizenship fraud and document forgery.

Pakistan's citizenship framework under the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 recognises citizenship by birth (jus soli for those born before 16 April 1951 and limited jus soli thereafter), by descent, by migration at Partition in 1947, and by naturalisation under Section 10 of the Act. The Affidavit of Nationality is particularly significant for individuals whose citizenship arises from Partition migration, because Partition-era records are often incomplete, dispersed, or destroyed. The National Alien Registration Authority (NARA) and the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Pakistanis also accept sworn nationality declarations as supporting evidence when processing overseas employment contracts and emigration clearances. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) references nationality affidavits in border control and immigration enforcement proceedings under the Pakistan Passport Act 1974 and the Foreigners Act 1946.

An Affidavit of Nationality in Pakistan is required across a range of administrative, employment, educational, and international situations where proof of Pakistani citizenship must be provided in sworn form.

Government employment applications frequently require an Affidavit of Nationality. The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), provincial Public Service Commissions (PPSC, SPSC, KPPSC, BPSC), and all federal and provincial government departments require candidates to confirm their Pakistani citizenship as a condition of eligibility for appointment to any civil service post. Where the CNIC alone is not considered sufficient — particularly for security-sensitive positions — a sworn affidavit of nationality supplements the documentary record.

An Affidavit of Nationality is required when a Pakistani citizen applies for overseas employment in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, where the labour recruiting agency or the foreign employer requires authenticated proof of Pakistani citizenship alongside the employment visa documents processed through the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE).

A person of Pakistani origin who holds foreign nationality (for example, a British-Pakistani, an American-Pakistani, or a Canadian-Pakistani dual national) may require an Affidavit of Nationality to clarify their status under Pakistani law, to assert rights under the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, or to register as an overseas Pakistani with NADRA for the purposes of obtaining a NICOP or Pakistan Origin Card (POC) under the NADRA Ordinance 2000.

An Affidavit of Nationality is needed when a Pakistani student applies for an overseas scholarship — for example, to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan's overseas scholarship programmes, or to foreign universities and funding bodies such as the British Council, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), or Fulbright — where the awarding body requires sworn documentary proof of Pakistani nationality as a condition of eligibility.

Courts in Pakistan dealing with property disputes, succession proceedings, or matters under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 may require an Affidavit of Nationality where a party's citizenship status is relevant to determining their legal rights — for example, foreigners are restricted from owning certain categories of property in Pakistan under the Transfer of Property Act 1882 and applicable provincial land laws.

A legally valid Affidavit of Nationality in Pakistan under the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984, the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, and the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 must include the following essential elements to be accepted by government departments, courts, employers, and foreign institutions.

Stamp Paper: The affidavit must be executed on non-judicial stamp paper of the denomination prescribed by the provincial Board of Revenue under the Stamp Act 1899. The typical denomination for an affidavit is PKR 50 to PKR 100. The stamp paper serial number must appear on the document. Under Section 35 of the Stamp Act 1899, an instrument not duly stamped is inadmissible in evidence and liable to impoundment.

Deponent Identification: Full legal name as on the CNIC, father's or husband's name, NADRA CNIC number (13-digit format: XXXXX-XXXXXXX-X) or NICOP number for overseas Pakistanis, age, residential address, and occupation. The CNIC is the primary identity document issued by NADRA under the NADRA Ordinance 2000 and is the authoritative proof of Pakistani citizenship.

Declaration of Citizenship: A clear sworn declaration that the deponent is a citizen of Pakistan under the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, specifying the basis of citizenship — by birth (Section 4), by descent (Section 5), or by registration (Sections 6-10). The deponent should state the place and date of birth and confirm that the basis of citizenship has not been renounced or otherwise lost under Section 14 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951.

Constitutional Reference: Where the affidavit is submitted to a government authority or court, reference to the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 and its definition of a citizen (Article 260, read with the Third Schedule) strengthens the declaration and confirms that the deponent is entitled to the constitutional rights and subject to the constitutional obligations of a Pakistani citizen.

Absence of Other Nationality (where applicable): Where the receiving authority requires confirmation that the deponent does not hold a foreign nationality, the affidavit must include a sworn declaration to that effect under Section 14 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951 (which provides for loss of citizenship upon voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship) and any applicable dual nationality agreement. Pakistan has bilateral dual nationality agreements with a limited number of countries.

CNIC and Supporting Document Reference: The affidavit should reference the CNIC number and optionally the passport number issued by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, both of which corroborate the citizenship claim. For persons who have not yet obtained a CNIC (such as citizens below the age of 18), the Family Registration Certificate or B-Form issued by NADRA may be referenced instead.

Verification Clause and Oath: The standard verification clause affirming that the contents are true and correct to the best of the deponent's knowledge and belief, with the oath administered in accordance with the deponent's faith under the Oaths Act 1873.

Perjury Warning: An explicit acknowledgment that a false declaration constitutes perjury under Section 193 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, punishable by up to seven years' imprisonment, and that making a false claim of Pakistani citizenship may additionally attract offences under the NADRA Ordinance 2000 and the Foreigners Act 1946.

Oath Commissioner or Magistrate Attestation: Signature, stamp, commission number, and date of attestation by the competent authority — Oath Commissioner, First Class Judicial Magistrate, or Notary Public — confirming that the deponent was identified by original CNIC and the oath was duly administered.

Forms-legal.com provides this Affidavit of Nationality (Pakistan) template as a reference document. The template reflects requirements of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984, Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, Constitution of Pakistan 1973, Stamp Act 1899, Oaths Act 1873, and Section 193 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. Deponents with complex nationality questions — including dual nationality, renunciation of citizenship, or disputed citizenship — should consult an Advocate enrolled at a provincial Bar Council.