SC directs Nadra to resolve matter within 15 days

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Thursday directed National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) to resolve the matter regarding issuance of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) to transgender within 15 days.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar passed the orders while hearing suo motu notice regarding issues to the transgender on issuance of CNICs and others.

During course of proceedings, on bench's query, Chairman NADRA, Usman Mubeen informed the court that at least 90 percent CNICs had been issued to transgender community through Mobile Vans. To this, the chief justice remarked, "he was expecting that the CNICs have been issued till today to all transgender but it's yet to be completed." Usman Mobeen replying to chief justice said a representative meeting of the four provinces will be held in the current month. "Former Justice Khilji Arif should be appointed the head of the committee, the CJ maintained.

Secretary Social Welfare Punjab, informed the court that one window operation was continued and 530 case of transgenders' had been registered. 237 cases had been transferred to NADRA authorities. Moreover, NADRA had already issued 1471 CNICs to the said community, he added. The CJ said orders of the court were not only limited to Punjab but for the whole country.—APP