Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has announced passport reforms allowing married women to retain their father’s name on their passports if they choose.
The decision follows directions issued by the Lahore High Court in multiple petitions, including W.P No. 65154/2023 and W.P No. 58842/2023. The court directed the government to complete consultations and make the necessary technical changes to passport formatting to provide women the option to retain their father’s name on CNIC and passport documents.
In compliance with the court orders, the Directorate General initiated a consultative process with key stakeholders and updated the passport application system. Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar provided guidance to incorporate the amendments.
Director General Mustafa Jamal Kazi supervised the revamping of the passport application software in coordination with NADRA authorities to ensure consistency in identity documentation.
A demonstration of the updated system took place on February 25, 2026, during a joint briefing attended by senior government officials and representatives of UN Women. UN Women Country Representative Jamshed M. Kazi welcomed the reform, stating that recognizing women’s independent legal identity strengthens equal access to documentation and services.
Officials described the measure as a step toward gender-responsive public service delivery and improved institutional accountability.
