How did alleged Afghan National Abdul Manaf obtain Pakistani citizenship for his entire family?

How did alleged Afghan National Abdul Manaf obtain Pakistani citizenship for his entire family? questions mount over political influence

ISLAMABAD:  Serious questions have emerged over how an individual identified as Abdul Manan, also known as Abdul Manaf, allegedly an Afghan national, obtained Pakistani citizenship along with his entire family. The case has raised concerns about the transparency of the citizenship process, possible political interference, administrative irregularities and national security.

Documents and information obtained by *Minute Mirror* suggest that the matter requires a thorough examination by the Ministry of Interior, Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, NADRA and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Citizenship Process Under Scrutiny

Under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951, citizenship can be acquired through legally defined procedures, including birth, descent, migration, naturalisation and registration.

The central question is under which provision Abdul Manaf was granted citizenship and whether all mandatory legal requirements were fulfilled.

If the citizenship was granted through naturalisation under Section 9, authorities must clarify whether the applicant fulfilled the prescribed conditions, including the required period of legal residence, good character, knowledge of a Pakistani language, renunciation of previous citizenship where applicable and the oath of allegiance.

Questions have also been raised about the availability of the original application, identity documents, verification reports and final approval order.

Entire Family Granted Citizenship?

Another significant aspect concerns allegations that Abdul Manaf’s entire family, including adult sons, received Pakistani citizenship collectively on the basis of a single affidavit submitted by the family head.

Legal experts have questioned whether separate applications, individual verification procedures and other statutory requirements were completed for adult family members.

Authorities must clarify whether each adult applicant independently fulfilled the legal conditions or whether citizenship was granted through a collective administrative arrangement.

Allegations of Political Intervention

Sources familiar with the matter told *Minute Mirror* that the initial field verification report was reportedly negative and had raised questions about the individual’s Afghan origin.

According to these sources, the file was subsequently reactivated after a recommendation from a high-level political office and processed on a priority basis.

The sources further alleged that Abdul Manaf initially obtained a manual identity document using Afghan documentation before claiming birth in a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to secure a computerised CNIC.

NADRA’s system had allegedly flagged the family previously. A recommendation letter from a senior political office was also reportedly attached to the file, while official notings allegedly included the words “as discussed”.

Sources additionally claimed that the usual six-month scrutiny and intelligence clearance process was bypassed and approval was granted at the Secretary level within days. These allegations require independent verification.

Legal and National Security Concerns

A senior constitutional expert, speaking to *Minute Mirror*, questioned whether the alleged procedure complied with Sections 9 and 14 of the Citizenship Act, 1951.

The expert also referred to provisions of the NADRA Ordinance, 2000, concerning fraudulent acquisition of identity documents and possible cancellation of CNICs obtained through misrepresentation.

The expert stressed that any citizenship approval involving false documentation, political interference or bypassed security checks would warrant a comprehensive legal investigation.

Questions Requiring Official Answers

The Ministry of Interior and FIA must clarify which authorities verified the applicant’s previous nationality, under which legal provision citizenship was granted, whether intelligence clearances and residence requirements were fulfilled, and why the reportedly negative field verification was not treated as a decisive obstacle.

Authorities should also explain whether political recommendations influenced the decision and whether adult family members underwent separate verification.

Transparency Is Essential

Citizenship is a legal status that must be granted strictly according to the law, not through political connections or administrative influence.

The allegations surrounding Abdul Manaf’s case demand an impartial investigation and examination of the original records. The government must establish whether every legal and security requirement was fulfilled.

The matter extends beyond one individual’s identity documents, raising broader questions about the integrity of Pakistan’s citizenship system and the equal application of the law.