stay for german nationality

Hi
I cam across that you need to live for 6 years to apply for german nationality. Does this stay should be continous?
I am from Pakistan did my masters in Germany from Oct 01-Jan 03 and then returned back. Again came to germany from aug 07 and plan to finsoh my phd in sept 2011. I have a question how much more I have to live after sept 2011 to qualify for applying Natioanlity? Does my previous stay will count?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

If I read this correctly six years is the minimum, regularly it is 8 years. You will have to be on a settlement permit ('Niederlassungserlaubnis') or EU long term residency first.

Thanks for your reply. I mistakenly typed 6, it was 8, but if I get a job after phd after sept 2011 so i will have to wait for only 2 years more?

I have no idea how or if times as a student would be counted. You may be better off in a German forum.

Remember if u r successful u will lose ur Pak nationality, Germany doesn't (normally) allow dual citizenship....

Dunno if that's important to you...