ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government has allowed married women to retain their father’s name on passports in a landmark decision aimed at strengthening women’s identity and autonomy.
The announcement to this effect was made by the director general of Immigration and Passports, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, marking a significant shift in the country’s passport policy.
The officials said the passport format has been amended in compliance with the orders issued by the Lahore High Court. The policy change ensures that married women are no longer required to replace their father’s name with their husband’s name on official travel documents.
Under the new policy, women have now been allowed to retain their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) details, including their father’s name, on their passports.
The move aligns passport records with CNIC data and removes the need for mandatory post-marriage name changes.
Authorities confirmed that the necessary software updates in the passport system have been made under the guidance of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Law.
The changes have been implemented to ensure smooth execution of the transformation.
New passport policy to strengthen women’s identity
According to officials, the reforms will strengthen women’s identity, dignity, and autonomy by giving them the choice to retain their paternal identity in official documents.
