ISLAMABAD: In a noteworthy move toward gender-responsive governance, the government has officially updated its passport policy to allow women the option of retaining their father’s name on their travel documents, regardless of their marital status.
The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports issued a formal notification on Wednesday, marking a major shift in administrative procedures that previously required married women to replace their father’s name with their husband’s.
According to the official announcement, this reform was enacted in compliance with orders from the Lahore High Court (LHC). The court had directed the federal government to conclude necessary consultations and update its digital systems to ensure women’s independent legal identities are upheld.
The reform is a joint initiative between the Government of Pakistan and UN Women, serving as a benchmark for gender-responsive service delivery. The policy overhaul was finalised under the directives of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
