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Landmark Decision: Married Women in Pakistan Granted Right to Retain Father's Name on CNIC and Passport
Pakistani court grants married women the right to keep their father's name on CNIC and passport, regardless of marital status.
ND
by News Desk
2024-06-11
Landmark Decision: Married Women in Pakistan Granted Right to Retain Father's Name on CNIC and Passport

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted married women in Pakistan the right to retain their father's name on their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport, irrespective of their marital status.

 

The decision came in response to a petition filed by Mehr Bano Langrial, advocating for the acknowledgment of this right. Additional Attorney General Mirza Nasar Ahmad informed the court that the federal government had no objections to the petitioner's request.

 

While the Immigration and Passport Additional Director, Attaur Rehman, highlighted the need for policy revisions and practical implementations, Justice Asim Hafeez issued an order affirming the women's right to retain their father's name on official documents. However, he specified that the government's policy regarding the formatting of passports for children would remain unchanged.

 

The judge directed the immigration and passport department to complete the consultative process and implement the necessary changes within three months. He emphasized the importance of data synchronization between the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and the immigration and passport department.

 

It's worth noting that, as per Nadra policy, a married woman already has the option to retain her father's name on her CNIC. However, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport requires married women to update their CNICs with their husband's name to obtain a passport, a practice that has now been challenged and addressed by the court.

 

In a separate development, the LHC granted bail to advocate Zahid Mahmood Goraya, who was convicted on contempt charges by Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan. Advocate Goraya's appeal against his conviction will be heard in due course.
Tagged:

LegalVictory

PakistanLaws

GenderEquality
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