| Citation(s) |
|---|
| 2026 SLG 1170 2026 SLD 1170 = 2026 PHC 1074 |
Peshawar High Court
Writ Petition No. 128-P/2025
Presented By: WIQAR AHMAD, J. -------
For the Petitioner: Mr. Jehanzeb Khan Khalil, Advocate. For the
Respondents: Mr. Rahat Ali Nahqi, Asstt: Attorney General for Federal Government. For NADRA. M/s Abdul Rauf, Deputy Director, Mohammad Mubarak and Shahid Imran Gigyani, Ads ( Legal). Date of Hearing: 12.01.2026
Writ Petition No. 128-P/2025
Presented By: WIQAR AHMAD, J. -------
For the Petitioner: Mr. Jehanzeb Khan Khalil, Advocate. For the
Respondents: Mr. Rahat Ali Nahqi, Asstt: Attorney General for Federal Government. For NADRA. M/s Abdul Rauf, Deputy Director, Mohammad Mubarak and Shahid Imran Gigyani, Ads ( Legal). Date of Hearing: 12.01.2026
Daulat Khan Khilji etc. ……Petitioners.
VERSUS
Ministry of Interior through Secretary Interior, Government of Pakistan etc. …….Respondents.
Law: National Database and Registration Authority Ordinance, 2000
Section: 17, 18
Law: Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951
Section: 14-A, 16, 19
Law: Pakistan Citizenship Rules, 1952
Section: 19-A
SUMMARY An admission made before the Regional Verification Board cannot be deemed sufficient for the purpose of surrender of CNIC when further steps had not been taken and the competent authority had not passed an order regarding cancellation or approval of surrender of CNIC. Said fact cannot be equated with renunciation of citizenship under section 14 of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951. All writ petitions were filed by individuals claiming to be Pakistani citizens whose CNICs were either blocked, cancelled, not renewed, or questioned by NADRA. The petitioners argued that they are citizens by birth/descent and had previously been issued CNICs, passports, and other official documents. NADRA’s stance was that some petitioners had allegedly surrendered their CNICs during verification/amnesty processes and admissions were recorded before verification boards. The Court held that: NADRA Verification Boards have no authority to cancel CNICs. No valid order under Section 18 of NADRA Ordinance, 2000 or certificate under Section 17 was produced. Alleged “surrender” or admissions before NADRA Boards do not amount to lawful renunciation of citizenship. Citizenship can only be relinquished under Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 (Sections 14-A and 16) through proper legal procedure. In case of doubt about citizenship, remedy lies under Section 19 of the Act (clearance certificate mechanism). NADRA must process claims and determine citizenship status within 90 days. Court directed petitioners to apply for Section 19 clearance certificates, and NADRA must decide without bias and issue CNIC restoration or cancellation orders accordingly. LAWS & SECTIONS DISCUSSED NADRA Ordinance, 2000 Section 17 Section 18 Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 Section 14-A Section 16 Section 19 Pakistan Citizenship Rules, 1952 Rule 19-A CASE WISE 2-WORD DESCRIPTION WP 128-P/2025 → Family Citizenship WP 2273-P/2025 → CNIC Blocking WP 2815-P/2025 → Identity Dispute WP 4576-P/2025 → Wrong Surrender WP 5442-P/2025 → Verification Issue JUDGMENT Through this single judgment this court is going to dispose of Writ Petition No.…