The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued a notice to the chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in a contempt of court petition regarding the blocking of a passport. The court directed Nadra to submit its response within two weeks.
The petition, filed by lawyer Saeed Yousuf Khan, highlighted that while Nadra had restored the petitioners’ identity cards in line with a prior court order, it failed to revoke a letter instructing the directorate general of passports to block their passports.
Advocate Khan informed the court that the petitioners’ identity cards had initially been blocked by Nadra but were later reinstated after a personal hearing. A clearance report was submitted to the court, and Nadra’s legal representative confirmed that the matter was resolved.
However, one petitioner seeking to renew his passport for Umrah was informed it remained blocked due to Nadra’s prior instructions to the passport office.
The petitioners argued that Nadra’s inaction in withdrawing the blocking letter violated the court’s orders and constituted contempt. They requested contempt proceedings against the Nadra chairman and regional director, along with an immediate withdrawal of the letter.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued notices to Nadra and other concerned parties, asking them to submit explanations within two weeks.
