Mst. Zulekha (Petitioner) VS Chairman NADRA & others (Respondent)

ORDER SHEET

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SINDH AT KARACHI

Const. Petition No.D-2188 of 2026 (Mst. Zulekha v Chairman NADRA & others) Date Order with signature of Judge(s)

Before:

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

Date of hearing and Order: 21.05.2026

Mr. Qadir Hussain, advocate for Petitioner.

Mr. Abdul Samad advocate for NADRA.

ORDER

Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, J. – Through the instant petition, the petitioner prayed that her CNIC be restored/cleared from the impounded or under-verification status and issued forthwith, and any such action be declared unlawful and without legal effect.

2.Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is residing in Karachi, whose family members are duly documented citizens of Pakistan. It is stated that the petitioner’s father has passed away, and his death is duly registered with the competent municipal authority, while the family lineage is supported by various official identity and civil registration documents issued over time, including MNICs, CNICs, domicile certificates, PRCs, passports, and B-Forms of family members, all of which establish their long-standing recognition as Pakistani nationals. It is further contended that the petitioner applied for the issuance of a CNIC through NADRA after fulfilling all procedural requirements, including biometric verification and submission of supporting documents. However, despite the production of pre-1979 and other relevant records, the petitioner’s application was placed under “verification” and subsequently referred to the NADRA Zonal Verification Board, Nisar Shaheed Park, Karachi. Learned counsel submits that the petitioner appeared before the said Verification Board and produced all available documentary evidence, yet the Board failed to clear the petitioner’s case without assigning lawful reasons. It is argued that the petitioner’s CNIC remains wrongly placed in “under verification/digital impounded” status without issuance of a mandatory notice under Section 18 of the NADRA Ordinance, 2000, thereby violating due process and settled principles of law. It is contended that NADRA, being a statutory body, is bound to maintain accurate citizen records and cannot deprive a lawful citizen of identity documentation without lawful justification. Learned counsel argues that the impugned action is arbitrary, unlawful, without jurisdiction, and in violation of the petitioner’s fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. It is lastly submitted that the petitioner has no alternate efficacious remedy except to invoke the constitutional jurisdiction of this Court under Article 199 of the Constitution, as the grievance remains unresolved despite repeated efforts before the departmental forum. It is prayed that the CNIC of the petitioner be restored/cleared from the impounded or under-verification status and issued forthwith, and any such action be

declared unlawful and without legal effect, along with any other relief deemed just and proper in the circumstances.

3.Learned counsel for NADRA filed objections and submits that the petitioner be directed to appear before the Zonal Office, DHA Nisar Shaheed Park, Karachi, along with relevant family documents, so that her claim may be re-examined and re-evaluated in accordance with law and NADRA policy, followed by a speaking order to be passed within two weeks.

4.Learned counsel for the petitioner, when confronted, agreed to the said proposal and seeks the disposal of the instant petition in the above terms.

5.In view of the consent of learned counsel for the parties, and without adjudicating upon the merits of the case, it appears appropriate that the petitioner’s grievance can be effectively redressed through administrative reconsideration by the competent authority of NADRA, without creating bottlenecks if her case is found genuine.

6.Since the core controversy pertains to verification of the petitioner’s identity and supporting family record, which falls within the statutory domain of NADRA, and as the petitioner is stated to have already appeared before the relevant Zonal Verification Board and produced documentary evidence, the matter warrants a fresh, holistic, and lawful re- evaluation by the concerned Zonal Office in accordance with NADRA policy and applicable law.

7.Accordingly, the respondents are directed to re-examine the petitioner’s claim along with all relevant records, particularly family-based identity documents, and determine the matter through a reasoned and speaking order. Such a course not only ensures compliance with statutory requirements but also safeguards against any possible administrative irregularity, while preserving the petitioner’s right to fair consideration under the law.

8.It is expected that the Zonal Office, DHA Nisar Shaheed Park, Karachi, shall decide the matter strictly in accordance with law, after affording due opportunity to the petitioner, and pass a speaking order within two weeks, ensuring transparency, legality, and adherence to NADRA’s regulatory framework.

9.The petition is accordingly disposed of in the above terms, being a consent matter, with no order as to costs.

JUDGE

JUDGE

Shafi