Chief justice takes notice of non-issuance of CNICs to transgender community

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Sunday took suo motu notice over complaints that the transgender community is not being issued their computerised national identity cards (CNICs), and ordered Punjab chief secretary and other members of the concerned provincial administration to appear before the court on Monday.

According to a press release issued by the apex court, Justice Nisar, during his visit to Fountain House Lahore on Saturday, was told of the problems face by the transgender community, whose primary complaint was the non-issuance of CNICs.

The chief justice, in the light of their complaints, took notice of the matter and issued the aforesaid personnel notices to appear before the court at 11am on Monday.

The court also instructed Akhuwat Foundation's Amjad Saqib to attend the hearing, which will take place at the Supreme Court's Lahore registry.

In 2009, Pakistan became one of the first countries in the world to legally recognise a third sex, allowing transgenders to obtain identity cards. However, the jury is out on the legislation's on-ground implementation.

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Rana Bilal is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn News (TV) with over nine years of experience covering legal affairs, justice-sector developments, and environmental issues. He can be found on X at @ranabilaldawn.

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Arshad

Jun 17, 2018 12:25pm

Kindly do a candid survey of Nadra centers in Karachi and see how an ordinary person is begging around just to get his/her NIC renewal. Getting a new one is just a Mission Impossible.

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Ridwan

Jun 17, 2018 12:37pm

These are the types of suo moto cases meant for the Court. Not like those suo moto cases trying to take on administrative functions, such as garbage pick up, which is not the realm for democratic voters, and not judges.

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SHAHID SATTAR

Jun 17, 2018 12:39pm

Please also order clearance of the cases of the people who returned to Pakistan from Bangladesh. Their cases are also stuck up in Nadra since some of them were born in the then East Pakistan. They may comprise of different ethnic groups including Bengalis who opted for Pakistan, Biharis and other non-Bengalis as well as those who went to East Pakistan from what was then West Pakistan. There are thousands of such cases which are pending with the authorities who only create problems for the applicants.

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nit

Jun 17, 2018 01:49pm

good work by cjp.

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Ravi

Jun 17, 2018 03:55pm

What is the use of passing the bill in 2009? Meaningless.

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Naeem

Jun 17, 2018 04:17pm

@Ridwan thank you for your advice!!!

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Najma Hisham

Jun 17, 2018 04:44pm

CJP Mian Saqib Nisar is gaining legendary status even in India. He has a large following.

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ivehadit

Jun 17, 2018 05:34pm

excellent. no room for this kind of discrimination in today's world.

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Gerry dcunha

Jun 17, 2018 07:02pm

Majority of govt offices do not performe their duties honestly with the general public. The same is the case with our embassy/high commission abroad with their citizens

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Concerned citizen

Jun 17, 2018 08:28pm

The most related person with this case is DG NADRA

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Ali

Jun 17, 2018 08:33pm

Good move to give them recognition Endorse your decision .

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Obaidullah

Jun 17, 2018 09:01pm

Hope he'll take notice of non issuance of identity documents to Bengalis too

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Shafiq Shah

Jun 17, 2018 09:05pm

They are human beings. They are Pakistanis. Good job by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court.

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raj

Jun 17, 2018 10:23pm

When is he going to take notice of all missing persons.

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Amir Dewani- U.S.A.

Jun 17, 2018 10:56pm

Questions: How long can a Chief Justice go on taking notice of the various trouble spots right from the water/electricity to the plight of the innocent people missing health, education and social needs on day to day basis? I wonder, why the concerned heads of the institutions are not being taken to task for their failures in duty? Why the coterie of a few 'bosses' is being treated above the law? Why so many cases are pending decisions at the level of the justice system? Will there be a be a vacuum after the present honorable CJ retires? Somebody, somewhere in Pakistan must think about these questions! Universal truth is an institution is bigger than the individual! Pl. think about this.

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420

Jun 18, 2018 09:21am

For a small country it’s step in right direction.

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Pakistani1

Jun 18, 2018 11:13am

Dear Dawn. I will appreciate if you compile a list of various items which the honorable CJSCP has taken notice of. Then tell us what action has been taken by the CJ and the concerned authorities to resolve respective items.

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Riaz Uddin

Jun 18, 2018 11:06pm

Identity.Card to transgender if not controlled, handeled and managed properly would be misued and taken for granted as a permission towards same sex marriage. Traditinally transgenders in Asia are treated as men. But transgender community introduces itself as women. Naturally issuing an identity.card to a transgender will have far reaching effects on.socio political arena in Pakistan. The Order of Supreme Court however is in consonance with ever changing fabric of society. There must be a check.and balance in order to prevent transformation of transgender community from.hetrosexual.to homosexual segment of society If it happens, it would defeat the purpose of issuimg CNIC to transgenders which is of course theirs successful.reintegration into.society.reap.its benefits without any fear of inferiority and on the basis of equality.

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