Hearing a suo motu case involving problems faced by the women of Hindu community in obtaining computerised national identity cards (CNICs), the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to sort out permanent solution of the issue, as it was the matter of three millions Pakistani Hindus.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez was hearing a suo motu case initiated on media reports, which highlighted problems faced by a Hindu woman, Pram Sari Mai, a resident of Rahimyar Khan. She failed to get a passport to visit India even after paying a large amount in fee.
During the hearing, Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq told the bench that NADRA had issued a new circular about issuance of CNICs to the Hindu female through a simple affidavit.
Upon this, the chief justice observed that it was a temporary solution. He said the NADRA chairman had legal authority to amend the law pertaining to the matter. He said government should be consulted, if needed. The court directed NADRA to sort out permanent solution of the issue and submit report on April 23.
On last hearing, the court had expressed reservations over the miseries of the Hindu community, particularly verification of their women’s marriage contract before issuance of CNICs to them. “How can we satisfy three million Pakistani Hindu community, as they have equal rights as you have,” the chief justice had asked a NADRA official. He had said that the court was bound to protect the rights of minorities under Article 36 of the constitution.
