Nadra resumes registration of transgender persons

Mon, October 02, 2023

The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on Monday resumed the registration of transgender persons, almost three months after it had halted the process.

Following the May 2023 ruling of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) against the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, Nadra had halted the ‘X’ National Identity Card (NIC) registration of transgender people. The decision had received push-back from the legal community, civil society and human rights activists.

In July, PPP Secretary General Farhatullah Babar had challenged the FSC verdict in the Shariat appellate bench of the Supreme Court.

Earlier today, Nadra issued a notification withdrawing its earlier order to halt registrations.

Nadra Public Engagement Director Rida Qazi confirmed the development to Dawn.com, saying that the authority had issued instructions to resume printing of ‘X’ NICs for transgender persons.

She said the process was initially halted after the FSC verdict but has resumed now that the matter is in the apex court. Qazi said Nadra was constitutionally bound to print ‘X’ NICs for transgender persons after the recommendation of its external legal advice wing.

Nayyab Ali, director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan, hailed the authority’s decision.

“Congratulations to the entire community of transgender activists in Pakistan for your relentless struggle,” Ali posted on social media platform X.

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