Afsar Khan (Petitioner) VS Govt of Sindh & Ors (Respondent)

ORDER SHEET

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH, KARACHI

C.P. No. D-6171 of 2023 (Afsar Khan v Government of Sindh & others)

Date Order with signature of Judge

Before:

Mr. Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon Mr. Justice Muhammad Hasan Akbar

Date of hearing and order:-19.05.2026 Mr. Hashmatullah Gondal, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Abdul Samad Khan, Advocate for NADRA.

Mr. Muhammad Akbar, DAG.

ORDER

Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, J The petitioner has instituted the present Constitutional Petition under Article 199 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, seeking directions against Respondent Nos. 1 to 3 for restoration and unblocking of the Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) of the petitioner and his family members, as referred to in paragraph No. 4 of the petition, on the ground that the same were blocked without lawful justification, thereby depriving them of the use and benefits attached thereto. The petitioner has further sought a direction against Respondent No. 4, namely the Deputy Commissioner, Karachi West, to resolve and settle the matter about the blockage of the CNICs in terms of Ministry of Interior Notification No. 8/37/2016-NADR dated 19.04.2017, along with any other relief deemed appropriate by this Court in the circumstances of the case.

2.Learned counsel appearing on behalf of NADRA submitted that the petitioner may appropriately be directed to appear before the Regional Verification Board at Awami Markaz, Karachi, for re-analysis of his case and for passing of a speaking order strictly in accordance with law within a stipulated period. In support thereof, reliance was placed upon the statement/comments submitted by the Verification and Registration Branch of NADRA, wherein it has been stated that the CNICs of the petitioner and his family members were blocked under the “Confirmed Alien Category” pursuant to approval conveyed through HOD Minute Sheet No. NADRA/HQ Ops/Blk-14/16/612 dated 01.09.2016, based upon a report received from Military Intelligence vide Letter No. MI/305/1/IIS dated 23.08.2016. It was further stated that the petitioner’s case had already been identified in the Complex Cases Data at DLC Karachi West and, therefore, the petitioner may be advised to appear before the District Level Committee, Karachi

West, for clearance of the matter, whereafter appropriate action would be taken upon receipt of the report of the DLC. It was also pointed out that notices under Sections 18 and 23 had already been issued and served upon the petitioner. Based on the foregoing submissions, learned counsel for NADRA prayed that the petition be dismissed with directions to the petitioner to appear before the Regional Verification Board for re-analysis of the matter and issuance of a speaking order in due course of law.

3.Upon confrontation with the aforesaid legal and factual position, learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is ready and willing to appear before the Regional Verification Board at Awami Markaz, Karachi, for re- analysis of his case in accordance with law. He further requested that, in the event the petitioner’s claim is found genuine upon such verification, no unnecessary impediment or obstruction may be created in the restoration of the CNICs.

4.Before parting with this order, it is observed that if the petitioner’s case is found genuine upon such verification, appropriate action shall be taken by the concerned authorities without creating any unnecessary hindrance.

5.In view of the statements made by the learned counsel for the parties, without touching the merits of the case and with the consent of the parties, the instant petition along with pending application(s) stands disposed of with the direction that the petitioner shall appear before the Regional Verification Board, Awami Markaz, Karachi, which shall re-analyse the petitioner’s case and pass a speaking order strictly in accordance with law within two weeks.

Let a copy of this order be communicated to all concerned for compliance.

JUDGE

JUDGE

Shafi