I AM a Pakistani citizen living in Germany. Recently, the German government introduced laws allowing workers from outside the European Union (EU) to obtain German citizenship without requiring them to renounce their primary citizenship. However, Pakistani laws regarding dual nationality with Germany state that adult Pakistanis cannot retain their citizenship after acquiring German citizenship. This has put Pakistanis living in Germany in a difficult position, as they must choose between the two options; if they acquire German citizenship, they automatically stand to lose their Pakistani citizenship.

There are many who are opting to take German citizenship without considering the consequences, as the new law does not explicitly require them to renounce their Pakistani citizenship, thereby allowing them to keep both the passports.

Another problem is that the German law requires all its citizens to explicitly affirm their support for the right of existence of Israel even when a full-blown genocide has been taking place in Gaza.

The Pakistani passport, in contrast, clearly states that the passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.

The fact is that becoming a dual national of the two countries is like being caught between a rock and a hard place. I wonder if the two governments will spare some time consider these pressing matters and find a solution to this riddle.

Muhammad Saad Khan
Heidelberg, Germany

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024