The Supreme Court directed the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Monday to submit its report to the SC registrar within three weeks about the amendment in NADRA’s rules that could solve the problems faced by Hindu women in obtaining Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs).
The court was disposing of a suo motu case in this regard.
The court also directed NADRA that the amendments be advertised in newspapers for the awareness of the people.
The court also observed that it was the duty of the parliament to pass legislations on Hindu marriages.
A three-member bench comprising of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez was hearing a suo motu case initiated after media reports had highlighted the 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 fees.
During the last hearing, the court had directed the NADRA find a permanent solution to the issue and submit a report on April 23.
During the hearing, the NADRA Legal Director told the bench that NADRA had decided to amend its rules regarding the matter.
He said a meeting of the NADRA’s board was also summoned but due to the absence of some directors, the amendments could not be finalised.
He requested the bench to adjourn the hearing for three weeks so that the amendments could be made.
Accepting his plea, the court disposed of the matter and directed
that the report be submitted within three weeks.
Earlier, former Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq had told the bench that NADRA had issued a new circular about the issuance of CNICs to Hindu women through a simple affidavit. Upon this, the chief justice had observed that it was a temporary solution.
He had said the NADRA chairman had legal authority to amend the law pertaining to the matter, adding that the government could be consulted, if needed. The court had expressed reservations over the miseries of the Hindu community, particularly the verification of their women’s marriage contracts.
“We cannot tell three million Pakistani Hindus that they have equal rights,” the chief justice said.
He had said that the court
was bound to protect the rights of the minorities under Article 36 of the constitution.
