Key points
- New passports and renewals in Pakistan will now feature both parents’ names
- Authorities say the change aligns with international standards
- Existing passports remain valid until expiry
- New rule applies only to future applications and renewals
- The move is seen as a major win for women’s rights, especially aiding single mothers facing legal and bureaucratic hurdles
ISLAMABAD: In a step toward inclusive identity recognition, Pakistan has announced that all new and renewed passports will now feature not just the father’s name, but also the mother’s.
The landmark policy shift confirmed by the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports is being celebrated as a progressive milestone in the country’s bureaucratic and social evolution.
“This change aligns with international standards and reflects a growing need for more socially conscious documentation,” a spokesperson from the Directorate said, adding that the reform is designed to accommodate modern family structures and address the concerns of countless Pakistani citizens, particularly women.
Progress with a personal touch
For decades, Pakistani passports—like many state-issued identity documents—have listed only the father’s name, reinforcing a patriarchal norm that often rendered the maternal role invisible in official records. The new policy, however, places the mother’s identity alongside the father’s, giving long-overdue acknowledgement to a fundamental bond often overlooked in the legal and administrative system.
The change has been hailed by rights advocates as a “sensible and overdue” reform, particularly for single mothers who have long struggled with documentation issues in a system that historically viewed paternal identity as primary, if not singular.
“It’s more than a name – it’s recognition”
Women’s rights activists and civil society organisations have welcomed the development as more than a bureaucratic tweak—it’s a statement of principle. “It’s not just about convenience,” said Abida Mushtaq, a family law attorney based in Islamabad. “This move recognises the legal and emotional centrality of mothers in the lives of their children. It brings visibility to the unseen,” she commented, talking to WE News English.”
She continued, countless Pakistani women raising children alone—due to divorce, widowhood, abandonment, or other circumstances—have encountered difficulties ranging from school admissions and visa applications to inheritance disputes and custodial challenges. Without the father’s name, children have often faced delays or outright denial of services.
What happens to existing passports?
The announcement prompted immediate questions from the public, particularly regarding the status of current passport holders. Authorities were quick to clarify: existing passports will remain valid until their expiration dates. The new rule will apply only to new passport applications and renewals moving forward.
“This is not a forced recall,” the official emphasized. “No one needs to panic. Existing documents remain fully valid until their expiry.”
Looking to the world—and the future
The change also reflects a wider global trend. Countries across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia already include the names of both parents in their official identity documents, easing travel, immigration processes, and citizenship applications.
“This isn’t about chasing the West,” said a senior immigration official. “It’s about evolving with the times, and ensuring that our systems reflect the realities of our people’s lives. Developed nations have implemented this for years. We’re catching up—and proudly so.”
Symbolism and substance
Though administrative in nature, the decision carries deep cultural and symbolic weight. In a society where family honour and lineage are often framed in patriarchal terms, the inclusion of the mother’s name challenges old conventions and introduces a more balanced model of identity.
Social media has already seen an outpouring of support, with hashtags like #MyMotherMyPride and #EqualIdentity trending nationwide. Prominent figures, including celebrities, educators, and political commentators, have applauded the move as a “small change with powerful impact.”
For mothers across Pakistan- and the children who carry their hopes and heritage—this simple addition on a travel document feels like a validation long in the making. And as the nation stamps a new chapter in its identity, many hope this is just one of many steps toward a more inclusive, equitable future.
