Pak CJ intervenes in case of Hindu woman's passport

A married Hindu woman facing problems in obtaining a passport to visit India was lucky to get the intervention of no less a person than Pakistan's chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Chaudhry today took suo moto notice of a news report about problems faced by the woman, Prem Sari Mai, in getting passport issued even after paying a huge amount of money, said a statement issued by the apex court.

After going through the report, Chaudhry directed that it should be treated as a petition under relevant constitutional provisions.

The matter will be taken up by the SC on November 23.

Chaudhry directed that a notice should be issued to the police chief of Rahim Yar Khan district to produce Mai in court along with records of any case registered against her.

A notice was also sent to the head of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) as to why national identity cards are not being issued to married women of the Hindu community.

Notices were also issued to the attorney general and advocate general of Punjab province.

The news report highlighted problems and inconveniences faced by Pakistan's minority Hindu community in acquiring national identity cards issued by NADRA and passports because Hindu couples cannot get their marriages registered in accordance with their customs.

It also said Hindus had to pay huge amounts as bribes to acquire the identity cards and passports.