my family is about to get the canadian nationality but i am against it for some weird reason. my reason is that I don't want to be defined as a canadian pakistani. i'm happy the way i am with my pakistani nationality on my passport. i get the positive reasons which are you will have security and a chance for a better life with a canadian passport but i don't feel that way. argh i don't know how to explain it properly. all i can say is that i want to stay pakistani even though i don't live in pakistan. i don't want to be canadian or anything even remotely canadian pakistani. does this make sense? :|
I know the feeling. I've lived in Canada 7 years but am not taking citizenship. I want to stay British Pakistani, not Canadian Pakistani :D
my family is about to get the canadian nationality but i am against it for some weird reason. my reason is that I don't want to be defined as a canadian pakistani. i'm happy the way i am with my pakistani nationality on my passport. i get the positive reasons which are you will have security and a chance for a better life with a canadian passport but i don't feel that way. argh i don't know how to explain it properly. all i can say is that i want to stay pakistani even though i don't live in pakistan. i don't want to be canadian or anything even remotely canadian pakistani. does this make sense? :|
Please to hear your views, i thought am the only one with this pakistani mentality. :D
I understand why u dont want to take it. My uncles have lived here now about 20 years and they don`t have citizenship. When they was offered citizenship they declined it because they thought same way than you are thinking now, they wanted to be just Pakistani. But now they regret their decision. They would like to get citizenship but nowadays that process is really long and its really hard to get citizenship and it takes at least 5 years and exams here. So they are just in the process...Back then when citizenship was offered, there wasn't any waiting or exams, it was way easier to get citizenship. They have permanent visa here.
Every time when we are planning family holiday, we have to remember that they need Visa and that makes travelling way more complicated. And now my other uncle is having hard time getting his wife here because he isn't citizen if he would be it would be 100 times easier. Also applying mortgage, some jobs and insurances is easier when u have citizenship.
If I would be you, I would take it. Because it might be that later on you notice that u need citizenship and you cant get it anymore. Its just a paper, it wont change who you are. You will still be Pakistani :) I think its way more important that ur identity and thinking remains the same; you are 100% Pakistani even if u have other citizenship and its sad to see how some people change after getting citizenship...some get gorafied :D So just remain proud Pakistani and everything is good:)
i dont think having a citizenship or passport of another country makes you any less pakistani, i have dual citizenship and i am pakistani at heart and really and truly no one can change that fact, i personally do not understand your (OP) point but then again you obviously in your mind have a valid reasoning. If anything having a canadian passport has made traveling easier as I travel quiet often due to work and going back and forth specially to the US is hassle free. I see enough people with our beloved GREEN passport holders at the airport and the borders or standing on the side at the immigration just because of their passports. I remember in 2005 i was travelling to Dubai with my canadian passport (visiting my dad) and while we were in transit at the amsterdam airport i was actually asked to step out of the line and had to wait till the line was done and then only did they deal with me asking all sorts of questions etc. the next year i had the canadian passport and trust me i fealt like royalty, you have a special/faster line for US/CANADIAN citizens at the dubai airport, just some of the perks. :D
Like others have said, a passport doesn't define you. Borders are just arbitrary lines drawn up by people trying to consolidate power. Besides all of that, for me at least, the practical benefits of a Canadian passport would outweigh any hesitation.
That said, what is the problem with being a Pakistani-Canadian? You're not becoming any less Pakistani, you're just adding some Canadian in there too.
I wish more people had "multiple allegiances", it would help curb a lot of the idiotic nationalism displayed around the world.
Like others have said, a passport doesn't define you. Borders are just arbitrary lines drawn up by people trying to consolidate power. Besides all of that, for me at least, the practical benefits of a Canadian passport would outweigh any hesitation.
That said, what is the problem with being a Pakistani-Canadian? You're not becoming any less Pakistani, you're just adding some Canadian in there too.
I wish more people had "multiple allegiances", it would help curb a lot of the idiotic nationalism displayed around the world.
I've seen some nationality holders who don't give a damn about the country they live in.
Thing is, whether you accept that blue passport or not you're already Canadian. You're a recipient of Canadian social benefits, healthcare, education, and protection. I assume you pay taxes. This defacto makes you a member of Canadian society. If being settled abroad when Pakistan is dealing with brain-drain doesn't weigh heavily on your conscience, the formal acceptance of your Canadian identity shouldn't suddenly inspire concerns of loyalty.
Reaping the benefits of living outside Pakistan without formally acknowledging your host will symbolically assuage your 'guilt,' not much else. If you're feeling that guilty, donate and help build social infrastructure in Pakistan. Holding a green passport and waving a flag on August 14th doesn't help the average schmuck "back home."
Borders are just arbitrary lines drawn up by people trying to consolidate power. I wish more people had "multiple allegiances", it would help curb a lot of the idiotic nationalism displayed around the world.
Canada is an easy lady. She doesn't even get into wars. There'd be no conflict of interest.
As i told some Canadians, Canada was involved in the invasion of Iraq that directly lead to the death of thousands of women and children. It was only second to Australia when it came to supporting Bush.
As you can see, that is not the whole truth. The government claimed to have sent troops for initiative separate from those of the US. In addition to that, the Canadian public was vehemently opposed to invading Iraq. The current Prime Minister is a wanna-be Neo Con, but the Canadian public in general is nothing like you’re making it sound.
And please don’t try to hold citizens responsible for the government’s actions, as the citizens actually demonstrated against the government.
