5. After the submission of the letters, Ayesha Begum and her son, who was issued the
NARA card, were forced to appear for verification board meetings at NADRA. This is
despite the fact that Ayesha Begum and her family had already been cleared by the DC
and they had appeared for multiple verification boards, at NADRA, in the past. Ayesha
Begum’s son was asked to submit an affidavit that falsely stated that he had made a
NARA card which he had then lost. This is factually incorrect as he was forcefully and
illegally entered into the NARA database. When her son attempted to edit the affidavit
to reflect this factual situation, NADRA refused to accept the same. After much
discussion and negotiation, the affidavit was accepted however, this caused further
delay.
6. In January 2022, Ayesha Begum received a letter from NADRA stating that 3 out of the
7 individuals cleared by the DLC, had been cleared by NADRA. No reason was given for
this arbitrary clearance of only 3 family members. In fact, even the clearance of these 3
individuals has proved to be futile since, upon going to renew her CNIC, Ayesha Begum
and her son were told that they could not do so until all family members had been
cleared - including Ayesha Begum’s late husband. This is an arbitrary and unjust situation
for Ayesha Begum and her family to have to navigate, and is particularly unfair and mala
fide in light of the fact that the DC has already cleared all of them. It is clear that there
is no policy being followed in a straightforward case of a family who has been cleared
and whose CNICs simply need to be renewed. It is emphasized that Ayesha Begum is 77
years old and despite her advanced age she is forced to run from pillar to post in order
to find a resolution for her matter.
Current Status of Case
7. After writing multiple follow up letters and making in-person visits to NADRA offices
eventually, in June 2022, Ayesha Begum was successfully issued a renewed CNIC with
lifetime validity. One of her sons, who was cleared, was able to submit his data-form at
NADRA and now awaits processing. As for the rest of Ayesha Begum’s family, their CNICs
are still digitally impounded and cannot be renewed.
Case 3: Asad
1. Asad (name changed) was born in Karachi in 1993. Shortly after his birth, in 1994, his
mother was granted khula and his parent’s marriage was dissolved. Despite having no
contact with his father since 1994, NADRA refuses to issue Asad a CNIC and insists that
he must present his father’s documentation in order to be issued a CNIC. A lack of CNIC
has resulted in Asad being denied the opportunity to complete his education.
Relevant Law & Policy: One Parent Policy
2. It is highlighted that according to NADRA’s policy 5.0.2 clause ()س, if only one parent
holds a 13-digit CNIC, and if such CNIC is not blocked, then the child will be entitled to a
CNIC. In Asad’s case his mother and his entire maternal side of the family, including his
grandparents, aunts and uncles, hold government issued identification documents.
What is more, Asad’s father signed an Affidavit with the effect of relinquishing his rights
over his children and handing over custody to Asad’s mother. But despite this NADRA
has insisted that Asad provide his father’s documentation in order to be issued a CNIC.
As Asad has had no contact with his father, or paternal family, he has failed to provide
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