Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian authorities have taken strict action by revoking visas of several Pakistani nationals. Many of these individuals held long-term visas, which have now been cancelled, and they have been deported. The move reflects a heightened security posture amid rising tensions.
Spotlight on Sania Mirza’s Family: Questions Around Her Son’s Citizenship
This development has also sparked fresh public interest in the personal life of Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who was formerly married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. Despite the cross-border marriage, Sania retained her Indian citizenship and continued to represent India in international tennis.
The couple, who are now divorced, have a son named Izhan Mirza Malik. Sania resides in Dubai, while Shoaib lives in Pakistan. Amid the diplomatic strain, many are curious about which citizenship Izhan holds.
Is Izhan a UAE Citizen?
At one point, Shoaib Malik had commented that his son would not hold Indian or Pakistani citizenship, leading to speculation that he might be a UAE citizen. However, this is highly unlikely. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has very strict citizenship laws, and typically does not grant permanent citizenship to foreigners.
While the UAE does offer long-term residency (Golden Visas), full citizenship is only possible under specific circumstances, such as marrying an Emirati citizen or being born to at least one Emirati parent—conditions that do not apply in Izhan’s case.
What Does Indian Law Say?
In contrast to Pakistan, which allows dual citizenship, India’s Constitution does not permit dual nationality. Indian citizens cannot legally hold passports from another country. For instance, singer Adnan Sami had to relinquish his Pakistani passport before becoming an Indian citizen.
To obtain another country’s citizenship, an Indian national must renounce their Indian passport.
Is Izhan Eligible for Indian Citizenship?
As per Indian citizenship laws, a child born in India after July 1, 1987 is eligible for Indian citizenship if at least one parent is an Indian citizen at the time of birth. Since Sania Mirza is an Indian citizen and Izhan was born in Hyderabad, he meets the eligibility criteria.
However, there’s an additional requirement: the child must be registered with the Indian embassy within a year of birth if born abroad, and must meet certain residency conditions, such as living in India for at least seven years in some cases.
Citizenship Cancellation Rules
Indian citizenship may be revoked under certain circumstances, such as:
- If it was acquired through fraudulent means
- If the person holds a foreign passport
- If the individual is involved in anti-national or terrorist activities
At present, while there is no official confirmation of Izhan’s citizenship status, the legal framework strongly indicates he is eligible for Indian citizenship through his mother.
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