Nearly 50,000 stripped of citizenship as Kuwait continues crackdown on forgeries

Minister warns no exceptions in rigorous review, new electronic card to boost security

Last updated:
Khitam Al Amir, Chief News Editor
1 MIN READ
Highlighting international cooperation, Sheikh Fahad revealed plans to launch a new electronic version of Kuwaiti citizenship to enhance security measures.
Highlighting international cooperation, Sheikh Fahad revealed plans to launch a new electronic version of Kuwaiti citizenship to enhance security measures.
Gulf News Archives

Dubai: Kuwait has so far revoked nearly 50,000 citizenships as part of an ongoing crackdown on forged and illegally obtained nationalities, a top official has confirmed.

Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, emphasised that all citizenship applications are subject to strict scrutiny with no exceptions tolerated.

Sheikh Fahad stressed that every citizenship file is being meticulously examined by the Supreme Committee for Investigating Kuwaiti Citizenship to preserve the nation’s identity and combat fraud.

“This work will continue until the situation is fully rectified,” he said. When asked if dossiers of former ministers, members of parliament, or other prominent figures are included in the investigation, the Interior Minister was unequivocal: “All of Kuwait is under scrutiny.”

He underscored the government’s zero-tolerance stance toward any tampering with national identity or obtaining citizenship through fraudulent means.

Highlighting international cooperation, Sheikh Fahad revealed plans to launch a new electronic version of Kuwaiti citizenship to enhance security measures.

Addressing women affected by citizenship revocations under Article 8 of the Kuwaiti Nationality Law, he confirmed that the August deadline to amend their status will not be extended.

He urged those impacted to visit designated offices if their embassies have not yet contacted them, assuring that the government will ensure they receive benefits except for citizenship, provided they maintain contact with their countries of origin. “This is part of the state’s effort to guarantee them a decent life despite the revocation,” he said.

Khitam Al Amir
Khitam Al AmirChief News Editor
With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public.​ Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.

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