Islamabad: PILDAT welcomes the Government of Pakistan’s implementation of the Lahore High Court’s order enabling married women to obtain passports with their father’s name, if they so choose. This reform marks an important milestone in the struggle for women’s identity rights in Pakistan.
The issue emerged after multiple reports revealed that passport offices were refusing to issue or renew passports for married women who opted to retain their father’s name. This created a contradiction within the state’s documentation framework: while the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) allows married women to retain their father’s name on their CNIC, passport authorities had not been complying, resulting in confusion, administrative hurdles, and discrimination. Repeated refusals and delays by the government persisted despite clear directives from the Lahore High Court in the 2024 case of Mehr Bano Langrial vs Federation of Pakistan, which mandated implementation within three months. Reports indicated that government officials repeatedly cited procedural or “cultural” reasons for the delay, and in some cases proposed regressive alternatives, such as adding ex-husbands’ names to women’s passports. Such measures ignored that passports for unmarried Pakistani women already allowed the father’s name option, requiring only administrative compliance to extend it to married women.
PILDAT acknowledges the perseverance of petitioner Barrister Khadija Yasmin Bokhari and her counsel, whose tireless efforts were instrumental in securing this outcome. Barrister Bokhari also recently appeared on PILDAT’s podcast Wo Jo Pakistan Badlein Gi to discuss the issue and highlight its significance for women’s autonomy and legal rights. PILDAT also recognizes the broader advocacy efforts by civil society actors, including Ms. Alena Sadiq, who consistently highlighted the discriminatory impact of the previous practice.
While this is an important victory, it is only the first step. There remain numerous identity-related concerns that require attention to ensure that women’s legal identity in Pakistan is not constrained by marital status or administrative practice. Sustained coalition-building and institutional responsiveness will be essential to addressing these broader challenges. PILDAT reiterates its commitment to supporting reforms that uphold constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination.