The Government of Pakistan has introduced significant reforms in the passport issuance system, recognizing women’s independent legal identity. Under the new policy, married women will now be allowed to retain their father’s name on their passports according to their preference. This development is being viewed as an important step toward strengthening women’s rights and identity.
According to an announcement by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports, married women will no longer be required to enter their husband’s name on their passport and may choose to keep their father’s name instead. Officials described the move as a meaningful effort to reinforce women’s legal and civic identity.
The reforms have been implemented in light of a ruling by Lahore High Court Judge Justice Asim Hafeez. The decision was issued in W.P No. 65154/2023 titled Ms. Meher Bano Langrial and Others versus Federation of Pakistan and Others, in which the court directed authorities to grant women the option to retain their father’s name on both national identity cards and passports. The court also extended the directive to a similar petition, W.P No. 58842/2023, filed by Barrister Khadija Yasmin Bukhari and others.
To comply with the court’s orders, the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports initiated consultations with relevant institutions. Following the judgment, the Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan, Jamshed M Qazi, along with his team, met with the Director General to offer full cooperation in the effective implementation of these reforms.
Authorities stated that access to legal identity and official documentation is fundamental to women’s full participation in economic, social, and civic life, and the latest reforms represent a practical step toward that objective.
