Girl moves top court for removal of father's name from her official documents

The applicant says she is facing difficulties in obtaining CNIC, passport as father's whereabouts remain unknown

ISLAMABAD: In a unique case set to be adjudicated by the top court, a girl has sought removal of her surname from her official documents, saying whereabouts of her father have remained unknown.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, heard a case filed by 22-year-old Tatheer who sought to eliminate her biological father's surname.

The applicant explained facing difficulties in obtaining official documents, including national identity card and passport due to her father's absence.

"I am witnessing in my career first such matter brought before the court," Jusitce Nisar observed.



The petitioner's mother, Fehmida Butt, remarked that if the law allowed a father to disown his child, it should also permit a child to disown a parent. However, Justice Ahsan said, "There is no concept of dissociation in the eye of laws".

The apex court then summoned Director-General Projects National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Zulfiqar Ali – who appeared before the bench and asserted that the father could be traced.

Directing the petitioner to provide the required information to Nadra, the bench issued a noticed to the father and adjourned further hearing in to the case for a week.