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ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 (APP):The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the case regarding the issuance of Pakistan Origin Cards (POC) to Afghan nationals.
The three-member bench, headed by Justice Shahid Waheed, took up the matter, with Additional Attorney General Rana Asadullah appearing before the court.
The Additional Attorney General informed the bench that the federal government had already filed an appeal against the Peshawar High Court’s decision dated December 1, 2023.
He submitted that the high court had ruled that an Afghan man married to a Pakistani woman should be issued a Pakistan Origin Card (POC).
He stated that the government had no objection to issuing POCs to such Afghan nationals; however, the high court had also held that such individuals were entitled to Pakistani citizenship — a conclusion that, he argued, was not permissible under the law.
Justice Musarrat Hilali questioned the legal grounds on which citizenship could be granted and inquired about the number of petitioners. The Additional Attorney General replied that there were a total of 117 applicants. Justice Hilali observed, “These are only those who have come forward.”
Counsel for NADRA submitted that an Afghan national married to a Pakistani woman must also possess a valid visa. Justice Hilali remarked, “We need to see whether a person entered through the door or by jumping over the wall.”
The Additional Attorney General further informed the court that contempt petitions had been filed in light of the Peshawar High Court ruling.