Question on Dual-Citizenship

[phk]

I have dual citizenship with the US and PAkistan (since I was born).

I would like to participate in Paksitan's upcoming elections in January. Would doing so, adversely effect my US citizenship?

[Hatman 🍁]

I have dual citizenship with the US and PAkistan (since I was born).

I would like to participate in Paksitan's upcoming elections in January. Would doing so, adversely effect my US citizenship?

I don't see why it would.

[Gabu]

If they cared about something like that, they wouldn't allow dual citizenship in the first place.

[J. J.]

Apparently, you would not.

http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_779.html

I would however advise you to speak with a qualified attorney and/or the State Department.

At one time, you would have lost US Citizenship by voting in a foreign election.

[Hash]

If it's worth anything, both my parents who hold dual Canadian-and-French nationality voted in the 2007 French Presidential election, without any issues. Just as my mom voted in ON.

[ag]

I have dual citizenship with the US and PAkistan (since I was born).

I would like to participate in Paksitan's upcoming elections in January. Would doing so, adversely effect my US citizenship?

Actually, it's not quite correct to say you hold a dual citizenship - you have two citizenships, which is not the same thing.  As far as the U.S. law is concerned you are a U.S. citizen - however many other citizenships you might claim, U.S. simply doesn't care. Thus, I do not believe, for instance, you have any right to claim Pakistani consular protection within the U.S. (not that you'd really want to ). So, if you choose to vote in a Pakistani election, it is strictly between you and the government of Pakistan.  Millions of U.S. citizens travel on foreign passports, vote in foreign elections, etc., etc., every year - and, at least as far as the current U.S. law is concerned, there are no legal consequences (of course, the law could change in the future - but that's something nobody can forecast).

Things could be more complicated, of course, if by "participating" you mean "being a candidate". In that case I'd suggest you talk to a lawyer - though, chances are, unless you get to be very high up in the hierarchy the answer won't be any different.

On the other hand, I do not know what is the view of the Pakistani law in such matters. For instance, until very recently India would not allow holding a citizenship besides its own.  An act of accepting a foreign citizenship was viewed as renunciation of the Indian one. Thus, Indian consulates would routinely ask for a proof that one doesn't hold a foreign citizenship before issuing  Indian passports. There are other countries that have similar laws. Thus, you'd probably want to check, if you are still a Pakistani citizen - in fact, unless you hold a valid Pakistani passport, you, likely, wouldn't be able to vote anyway. BTW, does Pakistan allow voting from outside the country?

[Хahar 🤔]

I have dual citizenship with the US and PAkistan (since I was born).

I would like to participate in Paksitan's upcoming elections in January. Would doing so, adversely effect my US citizenship?

Actually, it's not quite correct to say you hold a dual citizenship - you have two citizenships, which is not the same thing.  As far as the U.S. law is concerned you are a U.S. citizen - however many other citizenships you might claim, U.S. simply doesn't care. Thus, I do not believe, for instance, you have any right to claim Pakistani consular protection within the U.S. (not that you'd really want to ). So, if you choose to vote in a Pakistani election, it is strictly between you and the government of Pakistan.  Millions of U.S. citizens travel on foreign passports, vote in foreign elections, etc., etc., every year - and, at least as far as the current U.S. law is concerned, there are no legal consequences (of course, the law could change in the future - but that's something nobody can forecast).

Things could be more complicated, of course, if by "participating" you mean "being a candidate". In that case I'd suggest you talk to a lawyer - though, chances are, unless you get to be very high up in the hierarchy the answer won't be any different.

On the other hand, I do not know what is the view of the Pakistani law in such matters. For instance, until very recently India would not allow holding a citizenship besides its own.  An act of accepting a foreign citizenship was viewed as renunciation of the Indian one. Thus, Indian consulates would routinely ask for a proof that one doesn't hold a foreign citizenship before issuing  Indian passports. There are other countries that have similar laws. Thus, you'd probably want to check, if you are still a Pakistani citizen - in fact, unless you hold a valid Pakistani passport, you, likely, wouldn't be able to vote anyway. BTW, does Pakistan allow voting from outside the country?

I know from my friends' experiences that it is still true in India.