LHC orders rule change allowing women to retain father’s name on CNIC

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has directed the immigration and passport department to complete its consultative process within three months and amend the rules to allow women to retain their father’s name on their computerized national identity card (CNIC) and passport, irrespective of their marital status.

Justice Asim Hafeez issued this directive in response to a petition filed by Mehr Bano Langrial, who sought the right for married women to keep their father’s name on identity documents. Additional Attorney General Mirza Nasar Ahmad stated that the federal government did not oppose the petition.

Immigration and Passport Additional Director Attaur Rehman explained that the ongoing consultative process includes policy and rule changes, such as revising passport details and informing border control authorities in various countries, which will take time.

Justice Hafeez acknowledged that the government essentially recognized this right for women but clarified that it would not affect policies regarding children’s passports.

The judge instructed the immigration and passport department to complete the process and amend passport formatting within three months. He emphasized the need for data synchronization between NADRA and the immigration department.

According to NADRA’s policy, married women can choose to retain their father’s name on CNICs. However, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passport currently requires married women to update their CNICs with their husband’s name for passport issuance.