NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926
NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926
Last Updated: 19260226
Contents
PREAMBLE. .
1 SHORT TITLE, EXTENT AND COMMENCEMENT
2 DEFINITIONS
3 GRANT OF CERTIFICATE OF NATURALIZATION
4 CONTENTS AND FORM OF APPLICATION
5 GRANT OF CERTIFICATE
6 OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
7 EFFECT OF GRANT OF CERTIFICATE AND TAKING OF OATH
8 REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE
9 EFFECT OF REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE
10 DECLARATION OF ALIENAGE
11 INQUIRES
12 OATHS AND AFFIDAVITS
13 POWER TO MAKE RULE
14 LIMITATION TO THE GRANT OF NATURALIZATION UNDER THIS ACT
14 A APPLICATION TO CERTIFICATES GRANTED
14 B APPLICATION TO CERTIFICATES GRANTED BEFORE PARTITION
14 C VALIDATION OF CERTAIN CERTIFICATES
15 REPEAL
SCHEDULE. ENACTMENTS REPEALED REP
THE NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926
1ACT No. VII OF 1926
[26th February, 1926]
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the naturalization in 2[Pakistan] of aliens resident therein.
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the naturalization in 2[Pakistan] of aliens resident therein ;
It is hereby enacted as follows :___
1. Short title, extent and commencement.‑(1) This Act may be called the 3*Naturalization Act, 1926.
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1925, Pt. V, p 173 ; and for Report of Select Committee, see ibid., 1926, Pt. V, page 21. This Act has been applied to Baluchistan by Act 14 of 1874, s. 5, see Notifn. No. 488 J, dated the 5th November, 1925, Gazette of India, 1925 Pt. IIA, p. 358. It has been extended to the Leased Areas of Baluchistan, see the Leased Areas (Laws) Order, 1950 (G. G. O. 3 of 1950). This Act has been extended to the Baluchistan States Union, see the Baluchistan States Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 4 of 1953), as amended. It has been extended to the Khairpur State, see the Khairpur (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 5 of 1953), as amended. It has also been extended to the State of Bahawalpur by the Bahawalpur (Extension of Federal Laws) Order, 1953 (G. G. O. 11 of 1953) as amended. The Act has been and shall be deemed to has been brought into force in Gwadur with effect from the 8th September, 1958, by the Gwadur (Application of Central Laws) Ordinance, 1960 (37 of 1960), s. 2. All powers and functions of Central Government under sub‑section (3) of section 4, sub‑section (5) of section 8 and section 12 of this Act shall be exercised and discharged by the Chief Commissioner of Baluchistan and the Chief Commissioner of Karachi within their respective jurisdiction, see Gaz. of P., 1954, Pt. I, p. 68. 2Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), s. 2, for “the Provinces and the Capital of the Federation” which had been subs. by A. O., 1949, for “British India”. 3The word “Indian” omitted by A. O., 1949.
1[(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan].
(3) It shall come into force on such date2as the 3[Federal Government] may, by notification in the 4[official Gazette], appoint.
2. Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,‑
5* * * * * * *
(b) “certificate of naturalization” means a certificate of naturalization granted under this Act; and
6[(c) “minor” means, notwithstanding anything in the Majority Act, 1875 (IX of 1875), any person who has not completed his age of twenty‑one years.]
3. Grant of certificate of naturalization.___(1) 7[The 8[Federal Government]] may grant a certificate of naturalization to any person who makes an application in this behalf and satisfies 7[the 8[Federal Government]]___
(a) that he is not a minor ;
9[(b) that he is neither a citizen of Pakistan nor a subject of any state of which a citizen of Pakistan is prevented by or under any law from becoming a subject by naturalization;]
10[(c) that he has resided in Pakistan throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application, and has, during the seven years immediately preceding the said period of twelve months, resided in Pakistan for a period amounting in the aggregate to not less than four years ;]
(d) that he is of good character ;
(e) that he has an adequate knowledge of a language which has been declared by 7[the 8[Federal Government]] by notification11 in the 12[official Gazette], to be 13[one of the principal vernaculars of Pakistan] ; and
1Subs. by Act 23 of 1951, s. 3, for the original sub‑section (2), as amended by A. O., 1949. 2The 1st July, 1926 ; see Gazette of India, 1926, Pt. I, p. 577. 3Subs. by F. A O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government” which was previously amended by A. O., 1937, for “G. G. in C.”. 4Subs. by A. O.,1937 for “Gazette of India”. 5Cl. (a) omitted by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 161 of 1952), section 2. 6Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), s. 4, for the original cl. (c). 7Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “the Local Government”. 8Subs. by F. A. O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 9Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 3, for the existing cl. (b). 10The original cl. (c), as amended by A. O. 1937 and A O., 1949, has successively been subs. by Act 23 of 1951, s. 5 and the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1957 (44 of 1957), s. 2, to read as above. 11For an instance of such Notification, see Gaz. of P., 1952, Part I, page 24. 12 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “local official Gazette”. 13The original words “a principal vernacular of the province” have successively been amended by A. O., 1937, A. O., 1949, and Act 23 of 1951, s. 5. to read as above.
(f) that he intends, if the application is granted, to reside in 1[Pakistan] or to enter or continue in the service of the 2[State] 3[in Pakistan] :
Provided that nothing in clause (c) or clause (f) shall apply in the case of a woman who was a 4[citizen of Pakistan] previously to her marriage to a person not a 4[citizen of Pakistan] and whose husband has died or whose marriage has been dissolved.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the grant of a certificate of naturalization to any person to whom a certificate of naturalization has been issued under the Indian Naturalization Act, 18525(XXX of 1852).
4. Contents and form of application.___(1) Every application for a certificate of naturalization of shall be in writing and shall state, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the applicant,___
(a) his age ;
(b) his place of birth ;
(c) his place of residence ;
(d) his profession, trade, or occupation ;
(e) full particulars regarding his qualifications in respect of the matters referred to in clauses (a) to (f) of sub‑section (1) of section 3 ;
(f) whether he has at any time previously applied for the grant of a certificate of naturalization under 6* * * this Act 7* * *;
(g) whether any such application has been rejected ;
(h) whether any such certificate has been granted to him ; and
(i) whether any such certificate granted to him has been revoked 8[or whether he has been deprived of his citizenship under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951 7* * *].
(2) Every such application shall be signed by the applicant and shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn by him verifying that the statements contained therein are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.
1Subs. by Act 23 of 1951, s. 5, for “the Provinces and the Capital of the Federation” which had been subs., for “British India” by A.O., 1949. 2Subs. by A. O., 1961, Art 2 and Sch., for “Crown” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 3Subs. by A. O., 1949, for “in India” which had been subs. by A.O., 1937, for “under the Government”. 4Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 3, for “British subject”. 5Rep. by this Act. 6Certain words omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch., II. 7The words and figures “or the British Nationality Act, 1948” which were added by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), s. 6, have been omitted by Act 61 of 1952, s. 4. 8Added by Act 23 of 1951, s. 6.
(3) 1[The 2[Federal Government]] shall satisfy itself as to the truth of the statements contained in the application, and for this purpose may cause to be made such further inquiry, if any, and may require such further evidence, if any, either, by affidavit or otherwise as it thinks necessary.
5. Grant of certificate___(1) If 1[the 2[Federal Government]] is satisfied that the applicant is qualified under section 3 for the grant of a certificate of naturalization and is otherwise a fit person for the grant of such certificate, it may grant a certificate reciting the qualifications of the applicant for such grant and conferring upon him all the rights, privileges and capacities of naturalization under this Act, except such rights, privileges or capacities, if any, as may specifically be withheld by the certificate.
(2) Any such certificate may, if the applicant so requests, include the name of any minor child of the applicant, not being by birth 3[a citizen of Pakistan] who was born before the date of the certificate and is for the time being resident in 4[Pakistan] and under the control of the applicant; and shall grant to any child so included all the rights, privileges and capacities of naturalization under this Act, except such rights, privileges or capacities, if any, as may specifically be withheld by the certificate.
(3) The grant of a certificate of naturalization shall be in the absolute discretion of 1[the 2[Federal Government]], and no appeal shall lie from any refusal to grant any such certificate or to include in any such grant any particular right, privilege or capacity.
6. Oath of allegiance. Every person to whom a certificate of naturalization has been granted shall, within thirty days, from the date of the grant thereof, take and subscribe the following oath, namely :___
“I, A. B., of
do hereby swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to 5[the Constitution of Pakistan]” :
Provided that 1[the 2[Federal Government]] may extend the time allowed under this section in any case in which it is satisfied that failure to take and subscribe the oath within that time was due to sufficient cause.
6[7. Effect of grant of certificate and taking of oath.__(1) No certificate of naturalization shall have effect until the person to whom it is granted has taken and subscribed the oath prescribed by section 6, but upon the taking and subscribing of such oath such person, and any child of any such person who has been included in the certificate under sub‑section (2) of section 5, shall be deemed to be citizens of Pakistan and be entitled to all the rights, privileges and capacities of
1Subs. by A.O., 1937 for “the Local Government”. 2Subs. by F. A. O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 3 Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 5, for “a British subject”. 4Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), s. 7, for “the Provinces and the Capital of the Federation” which had been subs. by A. O., 1949, for “British India”. 5 The original words “His Majesty the King, Emperor of India, His Heirs and Successors” have successively been amended by A. O., 1949, and Act 23 of 1951, s. 8, to read as above. 6 Subs. by Act 61 of 1952, s. 6, for the existing section 7.
a citizen of Pakistan born within Pakistan, except such rights, privileges or capacities, if any, as may have been withheld from them respectively by the certificate, and shall within Pakistan be subject to all the obligations, duties and liabilities of a citizen of Pakistan ; and the wife of any such person to whom a certificate of naturalization is granted after the commencement of the Indian Naturalization (Amendment) Act, 1935 (I of 1935), shall, if not already a citizen of Pakistan, in like manner be so deemed and be so entitled and so subject, if within one year, or such longer period as the 1[Federal Government] may in special circumstances allow, from the date of the taking and subscribing of such oath by her husband, she makes to the 1[Federal Government] a declaration that she desires to be deemed to be a citizen of Pakistan, and if she is an alien as defined in the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951), obtains a certificate of domicile under that Act, and takes and subscribes the oath prescribed by section 6 of this Act.
(2) When the person to whom a certificate of naturalization has been granted has taken and subscribed the oath prescribed by section 6, any wife thereafter married by, and any child thereafter born to, such person shall, if she or he is not a citizen of Pakistan and if such person aforesaid at the date of the marriage or birth, as the case may be, retains any rights, privileges or capacities of a citizen of Pakistan under this Act, be entitled subject, in the case of a wife, to her making to the 1[Federal Government] a declaration as provided in sub‑section (1) and, if necessary, upon obtaining the certificate of domicile and making and subscribing the oath as further provided in that sub‑section, to the same rights, privileges and capacities, and be subject to the same obligations, duties and liabilities, to which such person aforesaid was at that date entitled and subject.]
8. Revocation of certificate.___(1) 2[Where the 1[Federal Government] is satisfied that a certificate of naturalization granted under this Act, 3* * * was obtained by false representation or fraud or by concealment of material circumstances, or that the person to whom the certificate has been granted has shown himself by act or speech to be disaffected or disloyal to 4[Pakistan], 5[the 1[Federal Government]] shall, by order in writing, revoke the certificate.
(2) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions, 6[the 1[Federal Government]] shall, by order in writing, revoke such a certificate of naturalization as aforesaid in any case in which it is satisfied that the person to whom the certificate was granted___
(a) has, during any war in which 4[Pakistan] is engaged unlawfully traded or communicated with the enemy, or with a subject of an enemy state, or been engaged in, or associated with, any business which is to his knowledge carried on in such a manner as to assist the enemy in such war; or
(b) has, within five years of the date of the grant of the certificate, been sentenced by any Court 7[in Pakistan] 3* * * to imprisonment for a term of not less than twelve months, or to pay a fine of not less than one thousand rupees; or
1 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 2 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for certain original words and figures. 3 Certain words omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch., II. 4 Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), s. 10, for “His Majesty”. 5 Subs. by A. O., 1937 for “the Local Government”. 6Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “such Local Government”. 7Ins. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch. (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956).
(c) was not of good character at the date of the grant of the certificate; or
1[(d) has since the grant of the certificate been, for a period of not less than seven years, ordinarily resident out of Pakistan otherwise than as a representative of a citizen of Pakistan, or of a Pakistan firm or company or a Pakistan institution, or in the service of a Government in Pakistan or in the armed forces of Pakistan, and has not maintained substantial connection with Pakistan; or]
(e) remains, according to the law of a state at war with 2[Pakistan], a subject of that state ; and that the continuance of the certificate is not conducive to the public good.
3* * * * * * *
(4) 4[The 5[Federal Government]] may, if it thinks fit, before making an order under this section, refer the case for such inquiry as is hereinafter specified, and, in any case to which sub‑section (1) or clause (a), clause (c) or clause (e) of sub‑section (2) applies, 4[the 5[Federal Government]] shall by notice given to or sent by post to the last known address of, the holder of the certificate, give him an opportunity of claiming that the case be referred for such inquiry, and, if the holder so claims in accordance with the notice, 4[the5[Federal Government]] shall refer the case for inquiry accordingly.
(5) An inquiry under this section shall be held by such person or persons and in such manner as 1[the 2[Federal Government]] may direct in each case.
(6) Where a certificate is revoked under this section, the revocation shall have effect from such date as may be directed by 4[the 5[Federal Government]], and thereupon the certificate shall be given up and cancelled ; and any person who, without reasonable cause the burden of proving which shall lie upon him, fails to give up his certificate within one month from the aforesaid date, shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to one thousand rupees.
(7) For the purposes of this section, any person who has acquired any of the rights, privileges or capacities of naturalization under sub‑section (2) of section 5 or sub‑section (2) of section 7 by reason of the grant to his parent of a certificate of naturalization, may, after he has attained majority, be deemed to be a person to whom a certificate of naturalization has been granted.
9. Effect of revocation of certificate.___(1) Where a certificate is revoked under section 8, the former holder thereof shall cease to be deemed to be a 6[citizen of Pakistan].
1Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 7, for the original cl. (d). 2Subsection (3) omitted by A. O., 1937. 3Subs. ibid., for “the Local Government”. 5Ins. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch. (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 6Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 8, for “British Subject”.
(2) On such revocation, 1[the 2[Federal Government]] may, by order in writing direct that the wife and minor children (or any of them) of the person whose certificate is revoked shall cease to be deemed to be 3[citizens of Pakistan] ; but where no such direction is made, the status of the wife and minor children of the person whose certificate is revoked shall not be affected by the revocation:
5[Provided that no such order shall be made in the case of a wife unless by reason of the acquisition by her husband of a new nationality she has also acquired that nationality :]
Provided 4[further] that, in the case of a wife who 5[was, or, if the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (II of 1951) had been in force at the date of her birth, would have been, by birth a citizen of Pakistan], no such order as aforesaid shall be made, unless 1[the 2[Federal Government]] is satisfied that, if she had held a certificate of naturalization in her own right, the certificate could properly have been revoked under section 8, and the provisions of that section as to referring cases for inquiry shall apply to the making of any such order as they apply to the revocation of a certificate.
10. Declaration of alienage.___(1) A declaration of alienage in such manner as may be prescribed by rules made under this Act may be made,‑
(a) within one year of his attaining majority, by any child who has acquired any of the rights, privileges or capacities of naturalization under sub‑section (2) of section 5; or sub‑section (2) of section 7 ; or
(b) within six months from the date of the revocation of a certificate under section 8, or of the death of, or of the dissolution of her marriage with, the holder of any such certificate as is therein referred to, by the wife of the person whose certificate has been revoked, or who has died, or whose, marriage to her has been dissolved, as the case may be.
(2) Where a declaration of alienage has been made in the manner aforesaid, the person making the same, and the wife of any such person, and any children of any such person who are minors and are not by birth 6[citizens of Pakistan], shall cease to be deemed to be 6[citizens of Pakistan] :
2[Provided that the wife of any such person shall not cease to be deemed to be a 3[citizen of Pakistan] under this sub‑section, unless by reason of the acquisition by her husband of a new nationality she has also acquired that nationality.]
1 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “the Local Government”. 2 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 3 Subs. ibid., for “British subject”. 4 Ins. by the Indian Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1935 (1 of 1935), s. 3. 5Subs. by Act 61 of 1952, s. 8, for “was at birth a British subject”. 6Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 9, for “British subject”. 7Proviso added by the Indian Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1935 (1 of 1935), s. 4. 8Subs. by Act 61 of 1952, s. 9, for “British subject”.
11. Inquires.___Every person making an inquiry under the orders 1[the 2[Federal Government]] under sub‑section (3) of section 4, and every person appointed to hold an inquiry under sub‑section (5) of section 8, shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the 3[Pakistan] Penal Code (XLV of 1860), and shall for the purposes of such inquiry have the same powers as are vested in a Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), when trying a suit, in respect of the following matters :‑
(i) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath ;
(ii) compelling the production of documents and material objects; and
(iii) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses ; and every such inquiry shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228 of the 3[Pakistan] Penal Code (XLV of 1860).
12. Oaths and affidavits.___(1) All oaths and affidavits for the purposes of this Act shall be sworn before a Magistrate or such other person as may be appointed in this behalf by 1[the 2[Federal Government]].
(2) The Magistrate or other person by whom an oath of allegiance is administered under section 6 shall grant to the person making the same a certificate in writing of his having taken and subscribed such oath and of the date of his taking and subscribing the same, and shall forward to 1[the 2[Federal Government]] the oath so taken and subscribed, together with a copy of such certificate.
13. Power to make rule.___(1) 1[The 2[Federal Government]] may, 4* * *, by notification in the 5[official Gazette], make rules, 6to give effect to the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely :___
(a) the form or forms in which certificates of naturalization shall be granted, and the manner in which they shall be recorded;
(b) the manner in which declarations of alienage shall be made and recorded.
(c) the recording of oaths of allegiance ; and
(d) the fees which may be imposed for the issue of any certificate, whether of naturalization or otherwise, granted under this Act.
1Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “a Local Government”. 2 Subs. by F.A.O., 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”. 3Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), s. 11, for “Indian”. 4The words “with the previous sanction of the G.G. in C.” omitted ibid. 5 For the Pakistan Naturalization Rules, 1961, see Gaz. of P., 1961, Pt. I., pp 450456. 6Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 10, for “British subject”.
14. Limitation to the grant of naturalization under this Act. Nothing contained in this Act shall be deemed to entitle to any of the rights, privileges or capacities of a 6[citizen of Pakistan] the child of any person who is himself so entitled by reason only of the inclusion of his name in a certificate of naturalization under sub‑section (2) of section 5 or of the grant of a certificate of naturalization to his parent.
14A. [Application to certificates granted]. Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (XXVII of 1981), s. 3 and Sch., which was previously amended by A.O., 1937.
1[14B. Application to certificates granted before partition. The provisions of this Act shall, on or after the fifteenth day of August 1947, continue to apply, as respects 2* * * Pakistan, to certificates granted under this Act or under the Indian Naturalization Act, 18523(XXX of 1852), before that day by the Local Government or Provincial Government of any Province which or any part of which was included in the Dominion of India on that day, and any such certificates may after that day be revoked as respects 2* * * Pakistan accordingly.]
4[14C. Validation of certain certificates. Any certificate granted under the Indian Naturali zation Act, 1852 3(XXX of 1852),, or under this Act before the commencement of the Naturalization (Amendment) Act, 1952, and standing unrevoked as respects Pakistan at the commencement of the last‑named Act, shall be deemed to be a certificate of naturalization under this Act as amended by the Naturalization (Amendment) Act, 1952 (LXI of 1952).]
15. [Repeals.] Rep, by the Repealing Act, 1927 (XII of 1927) s. 2 and Sch.
THE SCHEDULE. [ENACTMENTS REPEALED Rep. 1926 the Repealing Act, 1927 (XII of 1927), s. 2 and Sch.
___
1 S. 14B ins. by A.O., 1949. 2 The words “the Provinces of” omitted by Act 23 of 1951, s. 13. 3 Rep. by this Act. 4 Added by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s. 11.
