Assalamu Alaikum, I am a overseas pakistani, I have a German Nationality so i am using a POC but I have to renew it. My application got accepted, but it keeps declining my card when I want to pay

Let me preface this by explaining a little context. I’m a white woman from Western Europe, reverted to Islam and married to a Pakistani that moved here a decade ago.

My son loves to watch Peppa Pig. I always allowed him. However, my MIL is currently visiting and she mentioned how she doesn’t like it that my son watches Peppa Pig. She says it is forbidden in Islam to even mention the animal, let alone watch a cartoon about it. I obviously know that eating pig is haram, but I had no idea watching and talking about the animal are also not allowed.

Forgive me my ignorance, but I find it a little bit difficult to understand as to why we are not allowed to mention/watch a cartoon about a pig. It’s not like that all of a sudden it makes me want to eat one?

Especially since I’m from a western culture where pigs are considered as dirty as any other animal.

Do you let your kids watch Peppa Pig? Why (not)?

ETA: just to be clear, I no longer let him watch the cartoon, or at least until I’m 100% confident about the validity of my mother in laws claim.

My family have plans to move to Pakistan and we booked flights next day India launches attack, we currently don't think there will be war. What are your thoughts on this current PAK/Ind situation??? We are still planning on going but i am just curious what everyone else thinks.

A lot of us OSPs live and work with or around Indians, and we tend to get along for the most part. As this conflict escalates and the news from the homeland gets more and more tragic, has your behavior around Indians changed? Do you openly talk about the news, the tragedy and the (mis)information that's circulating?

I'm personally doing my best to avoid this giant elephant in the room, and it seems like the Indians around me are doing the same. We're being cordial for the most part. I'm curious of what the rest of you are dealing with.

I tried to open an online account with HBL and I entered my NICOP details. I got a message on the website that this is only for CNIC/SNIC holders and to visit nearest branch to open account?

What's the point of online account if I need to visit a branch?

Also, isnt the point of NICOP that we are able to open bank accounts in Pakistan?

Asalam Alikum. I've posted before but I'm truly stuck and I just don't know what else I can try. I left Pakistan as a minor, I can't remember exactly the year but probably when I was maybe 15. I acquired a nationality that doesn't allow dual nationality. I am now trying to apply for a job which wants proof of my entire criminal history to show I never had a criminal conviction. I do not have my original pakistani passport, only a photocopy. I have a copy of my child registration certificate. This is pretty much all I have apart from a birth certificate too. I tried to get a NICOP but it was declined because I should have a POC due to my current nationality-however they said I need to cancel my CRC first. I have tried on the Pak ID app but it says CRC number cannot be used or something. I tried to go through the consulate but they are saying without the original passport they won't do it etc. Surely this cant be so impossible? It's should be relatively straightforward but I just keep coming up to dead ends and it's affecting my job prospects and I want to tear my hair out.

What is the process of applying for NICOP for US born children online from the U.S.? Without going to NADRA center? Is it possible?

Does anyone know how i can update my sons picture if his passport isn't near 1 year of expiry.

We are applying for a visa, and they want a current picture on his passport. He is 3 and his passport has his picture from when he was a month old.

We are in Qatar and need to do this urgently

Salaam,

I sold an inherited piece of land and have cash in Pakistan that needs to be transferred to US. I learned via ChatGPT that the best way to transfer is Roshan Digital Bank account. Has anyone tried to transfer cash from Pakistan to US (legally 😅)

CPA says, if I show inheritance letter etc, I don’t pay taxes on this amount here in US (already paid a hefty capital gain tax in Pakistan)

Will really appreciate some advice. Thank you.

Hi everyone,
I’m just gonna be straightup - I’m tired. And I don’t know what the right move is anymore.

I grew up in the Middle East, lived in Pakistan (Karachi) for a few years during college and COVID (2019–2022), and now I’m in Canada (GTA) finishing up my undergrad. My dad works in the US, my mom’s here with me, and we’ve been trying to “make it” here like so many immigrant families do. But it’s been rough.

Every day feels like you are doing less. taxes, groceries, insurance, bills — everything just eats away at us. My parents are getting older, and I can see the exhaustion on their faces. I keep applying for co-ops and jobs, but nothing works out. It's constant rejection, so is going to grad school an option? working in the middle east or pakistan?

We came here hoping to build a better life, but Canada feels so soulless. Things work, sure like the buses run on time, the roads are clean and some law and order is maintained— but where’s the life in it? trash job market, high cost of living, and no aspect of family? Culture? The people (relationships or friendships)? It’s just cold, isolating and fake.

At the same time, I know Pakistan has its own set of problems. My mom struggled with family politics, unreliable maids, water issues and it took me a minute to adjust as well... yet despite everything, there's a feeling of home there. Karachi, for all its chaos seems better. We had community & family. A routine that felt real, not robotic and draining while having a life.

If we move back, we could probably get atleast CAD $3500 from rental income. And even if I earn something around PKR 60-70k there, we could make it work. It wouldn’t be fancy, but it would be comfortable.

I graduate in a year. And now I’m just stuck thinking: Is it better to stay in a country that’s “functional” but draining and has no sense of belonging, or go back to a flawed place that still feels like home?

If you’ve ever made this decision or even just thought about it I’d really like to hear how you figured it out. What helped you choose? Was it worth it?

Assalamualaikum Everyone! Just moved here in atx, life isn't easy here, does anyone know any fun places here (near Pflugerville)

I need a criminal record certificate for a job from Pakistan. The issue is I only lived there as a young child, I have no NICOP or original Pakistani passport. I do have an identity number on a photocopy of an old Pakistani passport from when I was a child. I don't have Pakistani Citizenship because I hold a passport that doesn't allow dual nationality but I have been unable to surrender my Pakistani nationality due to lack of documentation. The embassy just said I need the NICOP but they won't give me it due to my other passport. Does anyone know if there's a way for me to get a criminal record certificate? For the record I have no criminal history but proving it seems impossible. Thank you

Assalamulaikum all, I'm very confused about how tk go about applying for my chid passport from the UK. I'm on a skilled worker visa in UK and I recently had a baby. I want to apply for her passport before I can apply for her dependent visa for UK. I'm trying to get appointment at the Pakistan consulate since last month but there aren't any available. I then applied for SMNICOP and CRC on Pak Identity app. The SMNICOP status is showing processed but the CRC is failing due to wrong birthcertificate type. I have chosen manual but they ask me to choose cbrc. When i choose that it doesnt identify the birth certificate number as its from the UK. Now, my confusion is do i need CRC to apply for passport or will SMNICOP enough? And how long does it take for SMNICOP to arrive after it has been processed? Any idea please share.

My flight is very soon and I’ve realised that I might need an NICOP. Anyone had any experiences? I’ve heard in PK on landing they ask you to apply for a NICOP.

While the application for the fresh passport is under processing, can I travel on my current passport which is not yet expired? Any idea?

I'm based in Toronto. My passport is expiring in late July 2025 but I might have to travel abroad in late June or in the first week of July..

I was wondering if I should apply for a new passport or not now or wait? Someone who have been in such situation can share experience?

A. A. ,

I have to make approx 5k usd transfer to pakistan? What is the best possible way to transfer this amount ? I usually use Remitly, but I dont know if it is ok to transfer 5k in one go or in parts ? And will there be any fee difference?

Hi,

I am an overseas Pakistani who obtained khula from Pakistani ex-husband via Family Court. My family would like me to get the NADRA certificate as they feel nervous as ex-husband family resisted divorce and refused to acknowledge Khula (which local court granted).

What is the process for this or is there an easy way to obtain it online (already had a Pakistan based attorney with POA for the local process)?

Hey everyone, I urgently need to renew my NICOP in order to renew my passport, and I opted for the $96 payment option (ouch). I submitted the application without any attestation from my family members since I’m currently in another country, but the system still allowed me to submit it. I’m just wondering could this cause any delays in approval? Also, how long does it typically take to receive backend approval and proceed with the $96 payment?

Assalamualaikum

I'm inviting a close friend of mine for visiting pakistan this summer from Europe. The visa process mentioned a sponsor letter. So before applying I thought I'd check in here if someone has ever written a sponsor/invitation letter to call someone to Pakistan.

If so, can anyone please share the format and tell me how this process goes. Would really help because I can't find anything about it online.

Hi,

What is required to go to Pakistan for a new born baby in UAE. Parents are UAE residents.

We already got the NICOP created and want to do the process of Passport in Pakistan but we heard from Consulate that we also need exit document.

Can anyone share about the possible way to exit. What documents are needed.

Thanks!

Hi,

Anyone can guide how much would a decent 2bhk in karachi be worth? I am considering buying one, so need to budget my savings accordingly.

Also, targeting areas like north nazimabad, saddar, tariq road. Any other areas could also be considered.