NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926

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THE NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926 
(VII of 1926) 
CONTENTS 
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. Inquiries 
12. Oaths and affidavits 
13. Power to make rules 
14. Limitation to the grant of naturalization under this Act 
14-A. Application to certificate granted before separation of Burma and Aden 
14-B. Application to certificates granted before partition  
14-C. Validation of certain certificates 
15. Repeals 
TEXT 
THE NATURALIZATION ACT, 1926 
(VII of 1926) 
[26th February, 1926] 
An 
Act 
to consolidate and amend the law relating to the naturaliz- ation in 
1
[Pakistan] of 
aliens resident therein 
Whereas it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the 
naturalization in 
1
[Pakistan] of aliens resident therein; 
It is hereby enacted as follows.– 
1. Short title, extent and commencement.– (1) This Act may be called the 
2
Naturalization Act, 1926. 
3
[(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan] 
(3) It shall come into force on such date
4
 as the 
5
[Central Government] 
may, by notification in the 
6
[official Gazette], appoint. 
All Powers and functions of Central Government under sub-section (3) of 
section 1, sub-section (5) of section 8 and section 12 of this Act shall be exercised 
and is charged by the Chief Commissioner of Baluchistan and the Chief 
Commissioner of Karachi within their respective jurisdiction, see Gaz. Of P., 195, Pt. 
I, P. t8. 
2. Definitions.– ln this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or 
context,– 
7
a[* * * * * * * * * * * *   ] 
(a) (Omitted by Naturalization (Amdt) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), S.2. 
(b) 'certificate of naturalization' means a certificate of naturalization 
granted under this Act; and 
8
[(c) 'minor' means, notwithstanding anything in the Majority Act, 1875, any 
person who has not completed his age of twenty-one years] 
                                                 
1Subs. By the Naturalization (Amdt) Act, 1950(23 of 1951), S. 2, for “the Provinces and the Capital of the Federation” which has 
been subs. By A.O., 1949, for “British India” 
2The Word “Indian” omitted by A.O., 1949, 
3Subs. By Act 23 of 1951, S.3, for the original sub-section (2), as amended by A.O., 1949. 
4The 1st July, 1926; see Gazette of India, 1926, Pt. I, p. 577. 
5Subs by A.O., 1937, for “G.G. in C.” 
6Subs. Ibid., for “Gazette of India”. 
7Cl. (a) omitted by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), section 2. 
8Subs. By the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), S.4, for the original Cl. (c). 
3. Grant of certificate of naturalization.– (1)
9
[The Federal Government may 
grant a certificate of naturalization to any person who makes an application in this 
behalf and satisfied 
9
[the Federal Government]– 
(a) that he is not a minor; 
10
(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 ;] 
11
[(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 Act less 
than four years ;] 
(d) that he is of good character; 
(e) that he had an adequate knowledge of a language which has been 
declared by the  
Federal Government, by notification in the official Gazette, to be one of the 
principal vernaculars of Pakistan; and (f) that he intends, if the application is granted, 
to reside in Pakistan or to enter or continue in the service of the State in Pakistan: 
Provided that nothing in clause (c) or clause (f) shall apply in the case of 
woman who was a 
12
[citizen of Pakistan] previously to her marriage to a person not a 
12
[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, 1852.
13
  
4. Contents and form of application.– (1) Every application for a certificate of 
naturalization 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 matter 
referred to in clauses (a) to (f) of subsection (1) of section 3; 
(f) whether he has at any time previously applied for the grant of a 
certificate of naturalization under the British Nationality and Status of 
                                                 
9Subs. By A.O, 1937, for “the Local Government” 
10Subs. By the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act. 1952 (61 of 1952), S. 3, for the existing Cl. (b). 
11The original Cl (e). 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. 
12Subs. By the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), S. 3, for “British subject”. 
13Rep. by this Act. 
Aliens Act, 1914, or the Indian Naturalization Act, 185213, or this Act;
14
[* 
**] 
(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
15
[or 
whether has been deprived of his citizenship under the Pakistan 
Citizenship Act, 1951. 14[x xx] 
(2) Every such application shall be singed by the applicant and shall be 
accompanied by an affidavit sworn him verifying that the statements contained 
therein are true to the best of his knowledge and belief. 
(3) 
16
[The Central 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 residence, if any, either by 
affidavit or otherwise as it thinks necessary. 
5. Grant of certificate.– (1) If 
17
[the Federal Government is satisfied that the 
applicant is qualified under section 3 for the grant of a certificate or 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
18
[a citizen of Pakistan] who was 
born before the date of the certificate and is for the time being resident in 
19
[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 [the Federal Government], and no appeal shall lie from any refusal to 
grant any such certificate or to 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:– 
                                                 
14The words and figures “or the British nationality Act, 1948” which were added by the Naturalization (Amdt.) 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. 
15Added by Act 23 of 1951, S. 6. 
16Subs. By A.O., 1937, for “Local Government” 
17Subs. By A.O., 1937 for “Local Government” 
18Subs. By the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), S. 5, for “a British Subject”. 
19Subs. 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” 
“I, A. B., of do hereby swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true 
allegiance to 
20
[the Constitution of Pakistan] 
Provided that the 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. 
21
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 subsection (2) of section 5, shall be deemed to be citizens of 
Pakistan and be entitled to all the rights, privileges and capacities of 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, 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 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 Federal Government a declaration that 
she desire to be deemed to be a citizen of Pakistan, and if she is an alien as defined 
in the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 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 wife, to her making to the 
Federal Government a declaration as provided in subsection (1) and, if necessary, 
upon obtaining the certificate of domicile and making and subscribing the oath as 
further provided in that subsection, to the same rights, privileges and capacities, and 
be subject to the same obligations, duties and liabilities to which such person 
aforesaid was at the date entitled and subject]. 
8. Revocation of certificate.– (1) 
22
[Where the Federal Government is satisfied 
that a certificate of naturalization granted under this Act, or the Indian Naturalization 
Act, 1852]
23
, were 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 disloyal to 
24
[Pakistan], 
25
[the Federal 
Government] shall, by order in writing revoke the certificate. 
                                                 
20The 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. 
21Subs. By Act 61 of 1952, S. 6, for the existing section 7. 
22Subs. By A.O, 1937, for certain original words and figures. 
23Rep. by this Act. 
24Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), S.10, for “His Majesty” 
(2) Without prejudice to the going provisions, 
26
[the 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 
27
[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 
28
[in Pakistan or] in His Majesty's dominions to 
transportation or to imprisonment for a term of not less than twelve 
months, or to pay a fine of not less than one thousand rupees; or 
(c) was not of good character at the date of the grant of the certificate; or 
29
[(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 Pakistan, a subject 
of that state; and that the continuance of the certificate is not 
conductive to the public good. 
30
(3) [* * * * * * * * * * *   ] 
(4) 
31
[The Federal Government may, if it thinks fit, before making an order 
under the section, refer the case for such inquiry as in hereinafter specified, and, in 
any case to which subsection (1) or clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c) of subsection 
(2) applies, the Central 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, the 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 
32
[the 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 32[the Federal Government], and 
thereupon the certificate shall be given up and cancelled; and any person who, 
                                                                                                                                                        
25Subs. By A.O, 1937, for” such local government”. 
26Subs. By A.O, 1937, for” such local government”. 
27Subs. By the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), S.10, fpr “His Majesty”  
28Ins. BY AO 1961, art. 2 and such. (with effect from the 23rd march, 1950). 
29Subs. by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952, S/7, for the original Cl. (d). 
30Sub-section (3 omitted by AO 1937) 
31Subs. ibid. for the “Local Government”. 
32Subs. By A.O, 1937, for “the Local Government” 
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 subsection (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 
33
[citizen of 
Pakistan]. 
(2) On such revocation, 
32
[the Federal Government] may, 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 
34
[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: 
35
[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 
the nationality]: 
Provided further that, in the case of a wife who 36
[was, or, if the Pakistan 
Citizenship Act, 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 [the 
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.– (l) 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 of capacities of naturalization under 
subsection (1) of section 5, or subsection (2) of section 7; or 
(b) within six months from the date 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 in 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 children of any such person 
                                                 
33Subs. By the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), S. 10, fpr “His Majesty” 
34Sub Ibid for “British Subjects”. 
35Ins by the Indian Naturalization (Amdt) Act, 1935 (1 of 1935)m/s,3. 
36Subs. by Act 61 of 1952 s.8 “for was at birth a British subject”. 
who are minors and are not by birth 
37
[citizens of Pakistan], shall cease to be deemed 
to be 
37
[citizens of Pakistan]: 
38
[Provided that the wife of any such person shall not cease to be deemed to 
be a 
39
[citizen of Pakistan] under this subsection, unless by reason of the acquisition 
by her husband of a new nationality she has also acquired, that nationality]. 
11. Inquiries.– Every person making an inquiry under the orders of 
40
[the Federal 
Government] under subsection (3) of section 4, and every person appointed to hold 
an inquiry under subsection (5) of section 8, shall be deemed to be public servant 
within the meaning of the 
40
[Pakistan] Penal Code, 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, 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 object; and 
(iii) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses; and every 
inquiry shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning 
of sections 193 and 228 of the Pakistan Penal Code. 
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 
41
[the 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 the date of his taking 
and subscribing the same, and shall forward to the Federal Government the oath so 
taken and subscribed, together with a copy of such certificate. 
13. Power to make rules.– (1) 
42
[The Federal Government] may, 
43
x  x  x, by 
notification in the 
44
[official Gazette], make rules
45
 to 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 forms in which certificates of naturalization shall be granted, and 
the manner in which they shall be recorded : 
                                                 
37Subs. by Naturalization (Amdt) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), s.9 for “British subject”. 
38Proviso added by the Indian Naturalization (Amdt) Act, 1935 (1 of 1935), S.4.  
39Subs. by Ac 61 of 1952, S/9, for “British Government”. 
40Subs. By A.O., 1937, for “a Local Government”. 
41Subs by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (23 of 1951), S.11, for “Indian” 
42Subs. by AO 1937 for “the Local Government”. 
43The Words “with the previous sanction of the GG in C.” omitted ibid.  
44Subs ibid, for “Local Official Gazette.” 
45For the Pakistan Naturalization Rules, 1961, see Gaz. Of P., 1961, Pt.J,PP Pakistan, extraordinary, Part II 14th September, 
1973 (infra). 
(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. 
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 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 
subsection  
(2) of section 5 or of the grant of a certificate of naturalization to his parent. 
46
[14-A.] Application to certificate granted before separation of Burma and 
Aden.– The provisions of this Act shall, after the separation
47
 of Burma and Aden 
from India, continue to apply, as respects Pakistan to certificate granted under this 
Act, or the Indian Naturalization Act, 1852, before the said separation by the Local 
Governments of Burma and Aden and any such certificates may after the said 
separation be revoked as respects 
48
[Pakistan] accordingly]. 
49
[14-B. Application to certificates granted before partition.– The provisions of 
this Act shall, nor or after the fifteenth day of August 1967, continue to apply, as 
respects 
50
[***]Pakistan, to certificates granted under this Act or under the Indian 
Naturalization Act, 1852, before that day by the Local Government or Provincial 
Government of any Province which or any part of which was included in the 
Domination of India on that day, and any such certificates my after that day be 
revoked as respects 
50
[***] Pakistan accordingly]. 
51
[l4-C. Validation of certain certificates.– Any certificate granted under the Indian 
Naturalization Act, 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, 1962]. 
15. [Repeals].– Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1927 (XIII of 1927), S. 2 and Sch. 
                                                 
46S. 14 A ins. By AO 1937. 
47i.e. the 1st April, 1937. 
48Subs. by the Naturalization (amdt) Act, 23 of 1951), S.12 for “the 1949, for “British India” 
49S. 14A ins. By A.O., 1937. 
50The words “the Provinces of omitted by Act 23 fo 1951, S.13. 
51Added by the Naturalization (Amdt.) Act, 1952 (61 of 1952), S. 11.