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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stateless for four years, doctor from Pakistan knocks on Gujarat High Court's door for citizenship
A 50-year-old doctor from Pakistan has been 'stateless' for the past four years and decided to move the Gujarat High Court with the hope of pushing officials to help him secure Indian citizenship. Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi, who had a sonography clinic in Pakistan's Hyderabad, chose to move to India in 2009 for his children's education and to escape possible religious persecution. After settling down in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where his relatives are residing, Dr. Mukhi applied for citizenship in 2016. In 2021, he received a letter from Ahmedabad Collector's office that the application has been processed and he would receive the citizenship soon. This is when Dr. Mukhi's troubles began. Also read: India's citizenship laws: The Constituent Assembly dilemma 'Like an open jail' 'On receiving the letter, I went to Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, surrendered my Pakistani passport and renounced Pakistani citizenship. However, the citizenship certificate never arrived and for the past four years I am living as a stateless person. It is like being in an open jail. I have no nationality,' Dr. Mukhi told The Hindu. After writing letters and visiting the Ahmedabad Collector's office multiple times, Dr. Mukhi moved the Gujarat High Court against the Union of India and State of Gujarat on April 30. 'The Union government is yet to file a reply, the case keeps getting adjourned. This is grave injustice. We left Pakistan to make a better life here. I was worried about my daughter's safety. There are several cases of forcible conversion of women there. But now I am being made to suffer here because government officials have chosen to look the other way,' Dr. Mukhi said. The next date of hearing is August 6. Wife, children secured citizenship Dr. Mukhi's wife, who had applied for citizenship with him, has been granted the naturalisation certificate. His three children acquired citizenship after they registered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 which became effective on March 11, 2024. Citizenship is a subject under the Union List and is decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry has, however, periodically delegated powers to district magistrates/collectors of 31 districts in nine States to grant citizenship to legal migrants (who entered on passport/visa) from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan under Section 5 (by registration) and Section 6 (naturalisation) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. He added that he too applied for citizenship under CAA in 2024 but his application is pending. Though CAA is for undocumented migrants from the three countries, the online portal asks applicants to provide any six types of documents and specify 'date of entry' in India. The applicants are also asked for an 'eligibility certificate' issued by a 'locally reputed community institution' confirming that he/she belongs to 'Hindu/ Sikh/ Buddhist/ Jain/ Parsi/ Christian community and continues to be a member of the above mentioned community.' The empowered committee, which grants citizenship under CAA, is headed by Director (Census Operations) in each State. 'The Census official told me that my application [under CAA] is pending as I applied through Collector's office and renounced Pakistani citizenship on the basis of a letter,' Dr. Mukhi added.
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
UK-Pakistani leaders urged to counter stereotypes
The British elected councillors and mayors across the party line have appreciated the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) for gathering community leadership, enabling them to connect with their colleagues and peers from across the UK. The PHC in London hosted a convention of Pakistani-origin British Councilors, which was attended by delegates from across the UK, representing all the political parties in the United Kingdom, said a message received here on Sunday. More than 200 councilors, mayors, deputy mayors and leaders of the councils from Greater London to Midlands, Manchester, Bradford, Birmingham and Glasgow, participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan High Commissioner Dr Mohammad Faisal praised British-Pakistani leaders for their vital role in strengthening democracy, fostering multiculturalism, and serving as a bridge between the UK and Pakistan. The high commissioner emphasised on projecting the achievements of British-Pakistani women. "The strength of our nation abroad is reflected in the dignity, unity, and contributions of our diaspora," he stated. "When you rise, Pakistan rises with you." Faisal condemned attempts to stigmatise the Pakistani community based on isolated incidents, urging leaders to actively counter negative stereotypes by amplifying success stories in education, business, healthcare, and public service. He called on the community to empower women and youth, preserve cultural heritage, and explore opportunities in Pakistan's growing economy.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Hisar court extends Jyoti Malhotra's judicial custody
Hisar court on Monday extended the judicial custody of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who is under investigation for alleged espionage links with Pakistan, by another two weeks. The next date of hearing is July 7. On June 9, the court extended her judicial custody by two weeks till June 23. On May 26, Jyoti was sent to 14-day judicial custody by the court. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Travel blogger Jyoti, 33, a resident of Hisar, was arrested on May 16 for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani operatives. Her lawyer, Kumar Mukesh, said Jyoti joined court proceedings virtually and her judicial custody was extended by 14 days. 'Earlier, her bail application was rejected by judicial magistrate first class Sunil Kumar on June 12. We will file a bail application in the district sessions court. It's a normal process to bring her to court after 14 days and extend the judicial custody until she gets a regular bail,' he added. On June 9, the court extended her judicial custody by two weeks till June 23. On May 26, Jyoti was sent to 14-day judicial custody by the court. Earlier, her lawyer Kumar Mukesh said that he had objected to the sections imposed against Jyoti Malhotra in the first information report (FIR). 'As the investigation is currently underway in the case, the police were against her bail plea. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail plea. She went to Pakistan High Commission in Delhi in 2023 and at that time, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was in force but the Hisar police booked her under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act, which was Section 124-A (sedition ) under the IPC at that time. This section was kept in abeyance, which is why she can't be prosecuted for this,' Kumar added. He said that the FIR was registered on the basis of her questioning on May 15, which is not legally permissible because a person can't become a witness against himself/herself.
News18
19-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Free Kashmir' Proponent, India In His Past: Who's Imran Haider, Pakistan's New Envoy To Bangladesh?
In addition to his multiple international assignments, ambassador Haider previously served at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi Ambassador Imran Haider, a senior Pakistani diplomat who has recently been named as the new high commissioner to Bangladesh, carries a long-standing connection with India through his professional experiences and personal interests, and has been a proponent of 'Free Kashmir". In addition to his multiple international assignments, ambassador Haider previously served at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, holding a significant diplomatic position before being posted as a Pakistani ambassador to several countries in 2019. Over the past years, Haider served as part of Pakistan's mission in the United Nations, New York, and in the embassies of Iran, India, the UAE, and Spain, along with other assignments, said his profile document. In international diplomatic circles, Haider is known for his strong views on Kashmir, and he is seen as a vocal proponent of Pakistan's narrative on 'Free Kashmir". In fact, his display pictures on platforms like X and Instagram feature only a poster with the line 'Let Kashmir Speak", and his bio with his name says, 'career diplomat, posted in Tajikistan and Yangon (Myanmar)", signalling his continued alignment with that position. In fact, the same poster is also part of the interface of the official website of Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi. These social media accounts often highlight Haider's past speeches and engagements during his reported ambassadorial postings in Myanmar between 2024 and 2025 and in Tajikistan between 2023 and 2024, along with photographs featuring senior Pakistani ministers and diplomats. While the accounts do not have the officially 'verified" tag like many senior diplomats and bureaucrats, Haider's social media activity offers a clear glimpse into his ideological leanings and the persona he projects as a career diplomat. According to a formal notification carried by the Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM), known as the official mouthpiece of the junta government, he was appointed as Pakistan's ambassador to Myanmar in February 2024. Haider, who studied human rights at Curtin University, Perth, Australia, served briefly as assistant commissioner of income tax (1995-1996) in Pakistan before joining the ministry of foreign affairs in 1996, and since then he has held various diplomatic assignments in high-stakes postings across the globe, including in the UN and in countries like the UAE, Iran, India, and Spain. His official bio as submitted to the Myanmar government also stated that he served as ambassador of Pakistan to Tajikistan from 2019 to 2023, a period during which Islamabad is learnt to have actively expanded its strategic ties in central Asia. Post-April 2023, Haider served as director-general for the Central Asian Republics (CARs) and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) at Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs—an indication of his continued involvement in Pakistan's evolving regional strategy. His appointment to Myanmar was also seen as Islamabad's intent to maintain active diplomatic engagement with the junta regime amid a turbulent regional and global backdrop. A senior diplomat, who does not want to be named, said, 'Pakistan is sending a seasoned, calculated insider to Dhaka. Imran Haider carries more than just a diplomatic briefcase. He carries a deep understanding of the India-Bangladesh-Pakistan triangle that is forged by years in Islamabad's foreign service and a strategic stint in New Delhi." First Published: June 19, 2025, 07:30 IST
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan withdraws envoy from Dhaka amid speculations
Pakistan has withdrawn its high commissioner in Dhaka and named a new envoy to replace him, weeks after he went on sudden leave sparking widespread speculations, Prothom Alo newspaper reported on Tuesday. "Pakistan's high commissioner in Dhaka Syed Ahmed Maroof is not returning to Bangladesh," the newspaper reported, referring to several unnamed senior officials. Islamabad has named its current ambassador to Myanmar, Imran Haidar , as Maroof's replacement, it added. Maroof had grabbed media focus soon after Muhammad Yunus took charge of the interim government, three days after prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government was ousted on August 5, 2025 after a student-led violent agitation. Maroof had worked to ensure increased Dhaka-Islamabad diplomacy, including in arranging A visit by the Pakistan foreign secretary to Dhaka. Live Events But he left Dhaka on a sudden leave last month sparking speculations in social media about his alleged relations with two Bangladeshi women. He left Dhaka on May 11, nearly one and half years after his appointment. The Pakistan High Commission formally informed Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry of his departure saying their deputy high commissioner would serve as acting high commissioner. Maroof extensively traveled across Bangladesh over the past nine months, with his most recent trip to the southeastern beach resort town of Cox's Bazar, which allegedly coincided with the tour of the two Bangladeshi ladies to the same place. PTI
