Pakistan LHC Seeks Responses Over Controversial CNIC Policy For Married Women’s Passports

(CTN NEWS) – On Monday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued requests for responses from multiple parties, including the federal government, the director-general of immigration and passports, and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

This action was taken in response to a legal petition that challenges a policy mandating that married women include their husband’s name on their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) in order to obtain a passport.

Barrister Khadija Shah, the petitioner, asserted that her application for passport renewal was arbitrarily rejected by the passport office, which is under the jurisdiction of the LHC.

It appeared that the rejection was primarily based on the information present on her CNIC. Specifically, her CNIC identified her under the “daughter of” category with her father’s name, rather than the “wife of” category with her husband’s name.

Legal Challenge: Ms. Shah Challenges Passport Office Policy on Married Women’s CNICs

Ms. Shah asserted that she had duly updated her marital status with Nadra after her marriage. She pointed out that Nadra permits married women to maintain the “name of father” section on their CNICs.

She further stated that the passport office had verbally conveyed a policy mandating that married women must possess a CNIC with their husband’s name in order to obtain a passport in their own name.

The petitioner contended that the refusal of the respondents to accept her passport renewal application was arbitrary and unlawful. She emphasized that public authorities are obligated to adhere to legal provisions and cannot impose additional restrictions at their discretion.

Ms. Shah argued that the contested policy of the passport office was discriminatory and violated articles 8(1) and 25 of the Constitution.

Barrister Shah petitioned the court to declare the alleged policy, which requires married women to include their husband’s name on their CNICs for passport issuance, as null and void, illegal, and in violation of the Constitution.

Following the initial arguments, Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh issued notices to the respondents, demanding that they submit their responses within a period of two weeks.

Key Points Of The Passport Policy

Here’s a summary of the key points in this case:

1. Petitioner and Issue: Barrister Khadija Shah, the petitioner, had her passport renewal application rejected by the passport office, which falls under the jurisdiction of the LHC. The rejection was based on her CNIC, which identified her under the “daughter of” category with her father’s name, rather than the “wife of” category with her husband’s name.
2. Legal Challenge: Ms. Shah claims to have updated her marital status with the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) after her marriage. She argues that Nadra allows married women to keep the “name of father” section on their CNICs. However, the passport office verbally conveyed a policy requiring married women to have their husband’s name on their CNIC to obtain a passport in their own name.
3. Arguments: Ms. Shah contends that the refusal to accept her passport renewal application was arbitrary and unlawful. She asserts that public authorities must follow legal provisions and cannot impose additional restrictions at their discretion. She argues that this policy is discriminatory and violates constitutional articles 8(1) and 25.
4. Petition Request: Barrister Shah petitioned the court to declare the alleged policy null and void, illegal, and in violation of the Constitution.
5. Court Action: Following the initial arguments, Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh issued notices to several parties, including the federal government, the director-general of immigration and passports, and Nadra. These parties are required to submit their responses within two weeks.

The Lahore High Court will likely review the responses from the mentioned parties and make a decision based on the arguments presented.

This case revolves around issues of gender equality, constitutional rights, and government policies related to identification documents and passport issuance for married women.

ATC Extends Interim Bail for PTI Leader Asad Umar in May 9 Incidents, Orders Active Participation in Probe

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has decided to extend the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar. Additionally, the court has ordered him to actively participate in the investigation pertaining to the violent incidents that occurred on May 9.

The hearing, which was presided over by ATC Judge Abher Gul, primarily focused on Asad Umar’s request for interim bail in connection with the events of May 9.

The court has granted an extension of Umar’s interim bail related to the May 9 incidents, extending it until October 4. Furthermore, he has been directed to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigations.

The violence that transpired on May 9 was a result of the arrest of the former Prime Minister and PTI chief at the Islamabad High Court.

Protests erupted in various regions, spanning from remote areas to major cities, as PTI party supporters expressed their discontent over the arrest of their chairman.

In response to these protests, the regions of Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad requested the assistance of the armed forces to maintain law and order.

Amidst these protests by PTI workers, incidents of violence occurred, including an attack on army installations and the residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore.

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