Many Turks seek Pakistani citizenship

[Friend786]

PESHAWAR: In the absence of laws for refugees and asylum seekers, the government has yet to decide the fate of some 4,500 applications filed by residents of different countries seeking Pakistani citizenship.

These include Turkish citizens, many of whom applied after a government crackdown on dissent following the failed military coup in the country last summer, as well as Somali, Sudanese and Iraqi citizens fleeing the wars in their countries.

“In the absence of refugees and asylum seekers’ law, people who lack Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or authorised visa but want Pakistani nationality are provided protection and asylum certificate,” UNCHR representative Tausifullah told journalists during a seminar titled “International protection, status of refugees in Pakistan and role of media.”

The official said some 4,500 nationals from other countries seeking asylum in Pakistan for various reasons have been provided with the certificate. It is up to the government to decide the fate of the 4,500 cases since the only law to deal with foreigners is the Foreigner Act 1946, he added.

Tausifullah said the UNHCR started repatriation in 2002, assisting some 762,247 Afghan families comprising 43,0117 individuals. About 12,4593 families comprising 72,8603 individuals have been repatriated since 2010.

There are three kinds of travelling documents for foreign nationals – PoR cards, authorised visas, and Protection and Asylum Certificates. The certificates are a UNHCR-recognised refugee status determination, said an NGO representative in attendance.

They said that only registered people fall within the domain of the agency and it doesn’t take into account cases of those living in Pakistan illegally or without valid travelling documents. Some four million refugees are currently residing in Pakistan, they added.

Meanwhile, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Home Department Coordinator for Afghan Refugees Muhammad Jibran said some 1.3 million Afghan refugees are registered and living in K-P, whereas some 800,000 others are living in the province illegally.

Jibran said 45 per cent of the total registered people are living in 43 camps across the province while the rest are living in urban areas. Even the cases of unregistered Afghan refugees, he added, who are not provided any legal aid in case of any issue in Pakistan, cannot be dealt under the Foreigners Act 1946.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1395946/absence-law-fates-4500-citizenship-applicants-hang-balance/

 

[Runner Up]

Turkey is a beautiful country and its citizens are very friendly with Pakistanis. Last year I was in Istanbul one guy in market asked "where are you from" when I said Pakistan he immediately replied "Zindabad". Another guy when he found out that I am a Pakistani he started singing "Dil Dil Pakistan". He also told me about his fav Pakistani tv actors.

I don't mind Turks living in Pakistan. Our Govt should help them.

 

[Syed1]

Turks and Pakistanis are natural allies. We do our utmost to facilitate these Turks seeking asylum here.

 

[DW44]

The irony of seeking refuge from political persecution and repression by a far right quasi dictatorship in Pakistan of all places is clearly lost on them.

 

[TM Riddle]

Erdogan won't be pleased.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Turks and Pakistanis are natural allies. We do our utmost to facilitate these Turks seeking asylum here.

Would imagine the dissenters have more in common with India. Same goes for Iranian opposition.

 

[TM Riddle]

Would imagine the dissenters have more in common with India. Same goes for Iranian opposition.

Erdogan has scheduled a visit to India later this month.He wants to build stronger ties and economic and defence corporation with the country.Global geopolitical scenario is on a change with Russia eying relations with Pakistan , diminishing US importance around the world and India seeking ties with new countries such as Turkey.Interesting times ahead.

 

[Syed1]

Erdogan has scheduled a visit to India later this month.He wants to build stronger ties and economic and defence corporation with the country.Global geopolitical scenario is on a change with Russia eying relations with Pakistan , diminishing US importance around the world and India seeking ties with new countries such as Turkey.Interesting times ahead.

Erdogan was also in Pakistan recently and visits us quite often.

 

[TM Riddle]

Erdogan was also in Pakistan recently and visits us quite often.

Then providing asylum to these fleeing Turks is a bad idea as it would mean inviting displeasure from Turkish establishment.

 

[Syed1]

Then providing asylum to these fleeing Turks is a bad idea as it would mean inviting displeasure from Turkish establishment.

No no... these probably aren't fleeing Turks. The thing is in Pakistan we have a few Pak-Turk schools that were established by Gullen, who happens to be Erdogan's nemesis. These schools employ hundreds of Turks who have lived and worked in Pakistan for quite a while and have completely assimilated in the country. Since Pakistan doesn't offer citizenship (not that I know off) these teachers were working on work permits.

After the failed coup against Erdogan, he visited us and the Pak government inorder to please him sent out a notification to shut down these Pak-Turk schools and the Turkish teachers were asked to leave the country in two weeks. These teachers were left in a limbo since they could only go back to Turkey and being Gullen loyalists they would definitely be prosecuted by Erdogan. That is why, I think, they have applied for asylum to stay in Pak.

 

[TM Riddle]

No no... these probably aren't fleeing Turks. The thing is in Pakistan we have a few Pak-Turk schools that were established by Gullen, who happens to be Erdogan's nemesis. These schools employ hundreds of Turks who have lived and worked in Pakistan for quite a while and have completely assimilated in the country. Since Pakistan doesn't offer citizenship (not that I know off) these teachers were working on work permits.

After the failed coup against Erdogan, he visited us and the Pak government inorder to please him sent out a notification to shut down these Pak-Turk schools and the Turkish teachers were asked to leave the country in two weeks. These teachers were left in a limbo since they could only go back to Turkey and being Gullen loyalists they would definitely be prosecuted by Erdogan. That is why, I think, they have applied for asylum to stay in Pak.

Ah alright.This makes sense.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Turks and Pakistanis are natural allies. We do our utmost to facilitate these Turks seeking asylum here.

politically this is a very ropey issue for Pakistan, a lot of this rightly or wrongly are hated by Erodgan, who himself has been very good to Pakistan.

I personally like Erodgoan overal but like a lot of Muslim leaders I fear he doesnt know when his time is up and hence thay make cause all of his good work to come down.

A part of me though woulndt be surprised if Erdogan woulnt mind them coming to Pakistan. He knows Pakistan will keep them quiet and/or worse if he wants it.



also more broadly its amazing that Pakistan with all of its issues has not yet updated the Foreigners Act or made seperate Refugee legislation. I get why they havent, they want to encourage people from Afghanistan to come, but these issues will always remain, its better to have this than people with no legal status wondering around.

 

[bleaf27]

Turkey is a beautiful country and its citizens are very friendly with Pakistanis. Last year I was in Istanbul one guy in market asked "where are you from" when I said Pakistan he immediately replied "Zindabad". Another guy when he found out that I am a Pakistani he started singing "Dil Dil Pakistan". He also told me about his fav Pakistani tv actors.

I don't mind Turks living in Pakistan. Our Govt should help them.

Similar experience with in Antalya ....were quite happy to realize my Indian backgrounds and spoke some hindi words ! - What two faced people !

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

If they are trouble makers for Turkey, who's to say they won't be the type to accommodate anti-Pakistan parties in the future? Turks are generally friendly people, but anyone who is an anti-state activist in his own country should be viewed with suspicion in my view.

 

[PakLFC]

No doubt that Turks love Pakistan. I have also holidayed there and been treated with great warmth and respect. They first thought I was a Bharati, nauzubillah.