The Uniting Bonds: Exploring Marriages Between Pakistanis And Afghans

Marriages between Afghans and Pakistanis are not uncommon, especially among Pashtun diaspora communities. The Pashtun people are indigenous to the southern and eastern regions of Afghanistan, as well as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and northern Balochistan regions in Pakistan. The two countries have had a strained relationship since the partition of British India in 1947, which led to the emergence of Pakistan along Afghanistan's eastern frontier. Despite this, there have been instances of Afghan-Pakistani marriages, with women from both countries urging their parents to find them a match in the other country. In addition, the Pakistani nationality law allows foreign women married to Pakistani men to apply for citizenship, provided that their husbands did not acquire citizenship by naturalisation or registration.

Pakistani women married to Afghan men have protested against the forceful repatriation of Afghan refugees

Mixed marriages between Afghans and Pakistanis are not uncommon, as millions of Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan since 1978. However, the relationship between the two countries has been strained since the partition of British India in 1947, which led to the emergence of Pakistan along Afghanistan's eastern frontier.

In recent years, the Pakistani government has taken action against undocumented migrants, including Afghans, and has been expelling them from the country. This has led to protests from both Afghan refugees and Pakistanis married to Afghans, who are calling for a more sympathetic approach from the authorities.

In September 2016, Pakistani women married to Afghan men protested outside the Peshawar Press Club, asking the government to stop forcefully repatriating Afghan refugees. One of the protesters, Shamim Bibi, said that her husband, an Afghan refugee, had been sent back to Afghanistan, and had taken their children with him. She added that her husband's family had been living in Peshawar for several decades and that their families were related, which is why they got married. Bibi also stated that they currently had no source of income and that their children's education would be left incomplete, as there were no schools in Afghanistan.

Other protesters shared similar stories, with one woman, Shazia, stating that Afghanistan had been completely destroyed due to years of wars and that it was an unfamiliar land for their children, who were born and raised in Pakistan. The women carried placards with slogans demanding justice and requesting the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to find a solution and stop destroying their homes and their children's future.

In March 2019, there were further protests by Pakistani women married to Afghan men, although the details of these demonstrations are unclear.

In addition to the protests by Pakistani women, Pakistani men married to Afghan women have also been calling for rules to be relaxed so that their spouses can stay with them in Pakistan. One such man, Arbab Abdul Aziz, asked the government to unblock the identity card of his wife, an Afghan refugee, as it was creating problems for their children. He also complained that the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) was not taking action indiscriminately, as there were cases of Afghan refugees who still had valid identity cards.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Afghan government has also been accused of forcing out Pakistani nationals, particularly those who are ethnic Pashtuns, who make up a significant portion of the population in both countries. This has led to further tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pashtun women born and raised in Canada are going to Afghanistan and Pakistan to secure marriages

Pashtun women, born and raised in Canada, are increasingly travelling to Afghanistan and Pakistan to find suitable partners for marriage. This phenomenon is also observed in other parts of the Pashtun diaspora, such as in the United States. While no firm statistics are available, it is clear that this trend is on the rise.

Preserving Cultural and Social Identity

In most diasporic communities, marriage is a central pillar in preserving a community's cultural and social identity. Families urge, and at times, force their children to marry within their own ethnic or national group. This is particularly true for Pashtun communities, where a strong emphasis is placed on maintaining their Muslim and Pashtun identities. As a result, Pashtun women in the diaspora often face pressure to marry men from their Pashtun homelands, even if they have never visited these countries.

Shortage of Suitable Partners

One of the main reasons for this trend is the shortage of suitable partners within the Pashtun diaspora. Many Pashtun men in Canada and the United States are involved in activities that conflict with the expectations and values of Pashtun women, such as drinking or sleeping around. Additionally, Pashtun women in the diaspora may face stigmatization from their communities for being too educated, liberal, or "free". Therefore, they often feel pressured to seek partners from their countries of origin, even if it means marrying someone they have never met.

Cultural Expectations and Power Dynamics

Pashtun women who marry men from Afghanistan or Pakistan often face a culture clash, even if they have been raised conservatively and religiously in the diaspora. Pashtun culture dictates that women should be subservient to their husbands and are expected to serve their needs. Additionally, men in these countries are raised with the traditional belief that they should be the breadwinners for their families. However, when these men migrate to Western countries, they often struggle to find employment due to language barriers, a lack of recognized qualifications, and a mismatch of work skills. This can lead to a reversal of traditional power dynamics, with the woman becoming the primary breadwinner.

Navigating Cultural Differences

Pashtun women who grew up in Canada or the United States may struggle to adapt to the cultural expectations of their husbands and in-laws. For example, they may face resistance for interacting professionally with male colleagues, having male friends, or travelling alone. These behaviours, which may be considered normal in Western cultures, can be viewed as matters of contention and may lead to marital difficulties.

Despite the potential challenges and complications, many Pashtun women in the diaspora continue to seek partners from Afghanistan and Pakistan. This trend highlights the importance of cultural and social identity preservation within diasporic communities and the complex dynamics that arise when traditional cultural expectations collide with Western social norms.

The Pakistani Citizenship Act, 1951, provides a pathway for migrants to acquire citizenship

Marriages between Afghans and Pakistanis are not uncommon, especially among Pashtun diaspora communities. The Pashtun people are indigenous to the southern and eastern regions of Afghanistan, as well as the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and northern Balochistan regions in Pakistan. The two countries share historical, religious, and ethnolinguistic connections, and the Pashtun people have lived in this cross-border region for thousands of years.

Citizenship by Birth or Descent:

Any person born in Pakistan since April 13, 1951, automatically becomes a Pakistani citizen by birth, except if they are the child of a foreign diplomat or enemy alien. Children with at least one Pakistani parent are also citizens by birth. Children born overseas to Pakistani parents are automatically citizens by descent.

Citizenship by Migration:

The Act provides a pathway to citizenship for individuals who migrated to Pakistan from the territories in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent before the commencement of the Act in 1951. Additionally, those who were domiciled in Pakistan on April 13, 1951, and met certain criteria, automatically became Pakistani citizens. These criteria included being born in Pakistan, having at least one parent or grandparent born in Pakistan, being born in India but domiciled in Pakistan, or having renounced previous nationalities after naturalisation as a British subject in Pakistan.

Citizenship by Naturalisation:

Foreign nationals can acquire Pakistani citizenship by naturalisation after residing in the country for a specified period (generally at least four to five years) and demonstrating proficiency in at least one vernacular language of Pakistan. They must also satisfy a good character requirement and intend to reside permanently in the country or serve in the Pakistani government. Certain restrictions apply, such as not holding citizenship of countries that bar Pakistani citizens from naturalisation.

Citizenship by Marriage:

Foreign women married to Pakistani men are eligible to apply for citizenship. They must submit relevant documentation, including Form "F", a marriage certificate, a photocopy of their husband's CNIC and passport, affidavits, and evidence of a five-year aggregate stay in Pakistan. However, a foreigner male married to a Pakistani female cannot acquire citizenship solely on a marriage basis but may be eligible under other sections of the PCA 1951.

It is important to note that the Pakistani Citizenship Act, 1951, has likely undergone amendments and updates, and specific requirements and procedures may have changed over time. Additionally, Pakistan's complex relationship with Afghanistan, including territorial disputes and refugee issues, has impacted citizenship and migration policies.

Foreign women married to Pakistani men can apply for citizenship

Foreign women married to Pakistani men can apply for Pakistani citizenship. The process for acquiring citizenship is not automatic and involves a specific application process and requirements.

Foreign women married to Pakistani citizens are eligible to apply under the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951. The Act allows for the acquisition of citizenship through marriage but requires the foreign spouse to meet certain conditions and go through an application procedure. The process typically involves submitting an application for citizenship to the relevant government authorities, along with supporting documents, and fulfilling specific criteria such as residency requirements, language proficiency, and good character.

The application will be reviewed, and if approved, the foreign spouse may be granted Pakistani citizenship. The type of application form and a list of documents required for submission vary depending on the category of the person applying. For foreign ladies married to Pakistani nationals, the following documents are required:

• Prescribed application form ‘F’ (in quadruplicate)
• An affidavit on a Rs. 20/- non-judicial stamp paper from the applicant regarding/mentioning detailed facts of the case, duly attested by a notary public or magistrate
• A similar affidavit from the husband on a Rs. 20/- non-judicial stamp paper
• An affidavit duly supported by documentary evidence about her aggregate stay in Pakistan for a period of five years
• Photocopies of relevant pages of the applicant’s foreign passport
• Photocopies of the residential permit/visa
• Photocopy of the marriage certificate
• Photocopy of the domicile certificate of the applicant (if the applicant is not a Commonwealth Citizen)
• List of close relations residing abroad
• Photocopies of the Pakistan Citizenship Certificate or any other evidence establishing the husband’s citizenship of Pakistan
• 25 colour photographs with a light blue background, size 4 x 4.5 cm. One attested on the front and one on the back by a notary public/magistrate
• Photocopies of the valid national identity card of the husband
• Bank challan of the prescribed amount of Rs. 200/-
• Oath of allegiance taken before a 1st Class Magistrate (if the applicant is a citizen of a country other than a Commonwealth country)
• Two certificates from two different 1st Class Government Officers confirming the national status of the applicant’s husband, including the date and place of birth of the applicant’s husband and his income

Applications can be submitted to the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports Islamabad, its Zonal offices (Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Quetta), or to the Federal Government (Ministry of Interior).

It is important to note that the process of acquiring Pakistani citizenship may vary depending on the specific circumstances and that additional requirements may apply. It is always recommended to consult official sources and seek legal advice for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

The relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been strained since the partition of British India in 1947

The Durand Line, established in 1893 between Mortimer Durand of British India and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan, has been a significant source of tension. The line served as the boundary between the two countries after Pakistan's creation in 1947, but Kabul has never formally accepted it as the international border. Afghanistan has laid claim to large swathes of Pakistani territory, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistani Balochistan, which are considered part of the traditional homeland of "Pashtunistan" for the Pashtun people.

The issue of Pashtun nationalism has been a crucial factor in the strained relationship. Pakistan, created as a Muslim nation, struggled to unite its disparate communities. To suppress Pashtun nationalism, Pakistan established madrassas in these territories to teach a strict brand of Islam, and Taliban leaders were trained in these schools. Pakistan's support for the Taliban is driven by the desire to counter Pashtun nationalism with Islamic nationalism and to have a Pakistan-friendly government in Afghanistan.

Additionally, Afghanistan's immediate support for secessionist movements within Pakistan after the partition prevented normalised ties from developing between the two countries. Afghanistan's alignment with Pakistan's rival, India, and the Soviet Union further strained relations. Pakistan, in turn, began supporting Islamist movements against the progressive and Soviet-influenced Afghan government.

Another point of contention has been Afghanistan's territorial claims over Pashtun-majority areas in Pakistan, coupled with discontent over the permanency of the Durand Line. Afghanistan has demanded a renegotiation of the border, aiming to shift it eastward to the Indus River. Territorial disputes and conflicting claims have prevented the normalisation of bilateral ties throughout the mid-20th century.

Despite periods of rapprochement, such as during the Indo-Pak Wars of 1965 and 1971, the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been characterised by tension, territorial disputes, and competing geopolitical interests.

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