The federal government has introduced significant reforms in the issuance of passport, allowing married women to keep their father’s name on official travel documents according to their personal preference.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) announced that women now have the option to retain their father’s name on their passport even after marriage. This move ensures greater flexibility and respects individual identity choices for women across the country. Authorities stated that the reform is aimed at providing equal rights and eliminating unnecessary restrictions in official documentation.
The decision follows a ruling by the Lahore High Court in the case W.P No. 65154/2023 (Ms. Mehr Bano Langrial vs. Federation of Pakistan), where the court directed that women should have the right to maintain their father’s name on both their national identity card and passport. Another related petition filed by Barrister Khadija Yasmeen Bhatti and others further supported this position.
In response to the court’s orders, the DGIP has started consultations with relevant departments to implement the changes smoothly. Officials have also engaged with representatives from UN Women Pakistan to ensure proper execution of the reforms and to strengthen support for gender equality in official record-keeping.
The government highlighted that access to legal identity documents, including passport, plays a crucial role in empowering women and enabling their participation in social, economic, and civic activities. By allowing women to retain their father’s name, authorities aim to promote fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in administrative processes.
This policy shift marks an important step toward modernizing documentation rules and strengthening women’s rights in Pakistan.
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