In a recent interview with Geo News, the Director-General of Immigration and Passports, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, sparked controversy by suggesting that divorced women should have their ex-husband’s name on their passports to verify the parentage of their children. The proposal has ignited a firestorm of criticism and calls for action to stop what many see as a regressive and intrusive measure.
The issue came to light following the case of Khadija Bukhari, who was instructed by passport authorities to update her ID card with her husband’s name, despite the information already being current in the Nadra system. Bukhari’s defiance of the directive has led to her case being taken to court, drawing attention to the broader issue of women’s autonomy in official documents.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has formed a committee to examine the requirement of women having their husband’s names on passports, which contradicts the option provided by Nadra to retain the father’s name after marriage. The debate has raised questions about the underlying assumptions of Kazi’s proposal and its implications for women’s rights.
Critics have pointed out the impracticality and unfairness of Kazi’s suggestion, highlighting scenarios where women may have multiple marriages and divorces, leading to a convoluted list of names on their passports. Moreover, the proposal overlooks the importance of including both parents’ names on a child’s passport if the concern is truly about parentage verification.
Kazi’s assertion that there is no international database for Pakistani citizens has also been met with skepticism in an era of advanced technology and information sharing between countries. The lack of clarity and consistency in passport regulations adds to the frustration of individuals navigating bureaucratic processes.
The debate underscores broader issues of gender equality and the lingering effects of patriarchal norms in Pakistani society. The requirement for women to carry their ex-husband’s name on official documents serves as a stark reminder of the enduring power dynamics within relationships and the challenges faced by women seeking to assert their independence.
As the discussion continues, many are calling for a reevaluation of passport policies to ensure they reflect the principles of equality and respect for individual autonomy. The controversy surrounding Kazi’s remarks serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Pakistan and the need for progressive reforms in administrative procedures.
