The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has granted bail to a man claiming Pakistani citizenship who was arrested on charges of illegal stay in Pakistan while holding an Afghan Citizen Card. The court allowed him to pursue legal procedures for citizenship clearance under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951.
The single-member bench directed the petitioner to submit surety bonds and approach NADRA authorities within one week to cancel his Afghan registration documents. The court made it clear that failure to comply could result in cancellation of bail.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, the individual had earlier registered as an Afghan national for livelihood purposes but later faced legal complications while attempting to obtain Pakistani identity documents. The court acknowledged these circumstances and permitted him to regularise his status through proper legal channels.
In separate cases, the PHC also granted bail to an Afghan national on humanitarian grounds, noting his responsibility as the sole breadwinner for his family. Authorities were instructed to ensure his deportation along with family members after legal formalities.
Additionally, bail was granted to a juvenile Afghan refugee arrested for illegal stay. The court emphasised that under the Juvenile Justice System Act, minors are entitled to bail unless exceptional circumstances exist.
The rulings highlight the court’s approach of balancing legal enforcement with humanitarian considerations, especially in cases involving citizenship status and undocumented individuals.
