Islamabad: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and the passport-issuing authority have different passport policies when it comes to married women. Mustafa Jamal Kazi, Director General of Immigration and Passports, cleared this up.
The question is whether the name of a married woman’s spouse should be on her passport rather than her father’s. Concerns regarding the opposing policies of two government agencies and the appearance of discrimination against women have been raised by this.
Khadija Bukhari highlighted this issue. She is a lawyer at the Lahore High Court. The matter was discussed on the Geo News show “Geo Pakistan.” After getting married, Bukhari said, she updated her CNIC with Nadra. But she changed her marital status to include her father’s name. However, she was instructed to obtain a new CNIC and add her husband’s name while renewing her passport.
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As a result of this scenario, the issue of discrimination against women by public institutions has gained attention. Despite her wishes, a woman’s identity is forever linked to her ex-husband, even in divorce trials.
Though referring to Bukhari’s case as subjudice, Kazi addressed the topic brought up in the Geo News show. He clarified that whereas passports are international documents created in accordance with international accords, Nadra’s records are intended for local use in Pakistan. He pointed out that there is a woman’s passport rule. And where their passports do not have her husband’s name, she may encounter challenges when traveling with her kids. Hence, it becomes more difficult to confirm the children’s paternity.
Kazi also brought up legal issues that arise when divorces are not properly declared. He states that marriage and divorce registration are required. In the event that these are not formally documented, custody disputes arise.
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He clarified that adding a married woman’s spouse’s name to her passport is acceptable. Passport Policy Changes can be made to include a box for the name of the ex-husband in divorce proceedings.
In response, Interior Secretary Khurram Ali Agha has created a committee under the direction of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to address the matter. Naqvi directed the group to examine the issues Married and Divorced Women face with passports and come up with a workable solution. He underlined that suggestions had to center on married women’s comfort and ease. Also, the government is striving to arrive at a prompt conclusion in compliance with laws and regulations.
