The High Court held that matters relating to CNICs fall outside the jurisdiction of the civil courts
LAHORE:
Ruling on a petition filed by citizen Ali Ansari, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared that civil courts have no power to order suspension or cancellation of a citizen’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).
Justice Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh delivered a detailed seven-page judgment setting aside the decision of a civil court that had led to the blocking of the petitioner’s CNIC. The court termed the action illegal and directed that the CNIC be restored within 15 days.
In its judgement, the high court held that matters relating to CNICs fall outside the jurisdiction of the civil courts.
It emphasized that a CNIC is not a form of property but a basic proof of a citizen’s identity which cannot be treated as transferable or inheritable.
The court further observed that CNICs are issued and regulated exclusively by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), which operates under federal authority. It clarified that each must independently register with NADRA to establish their identity.
Citing the NADRA rules, the court observed that citizens are required to obtain a CNIC when they turn 18, while parents are responsible for registering their children at birth if they are below 18.
