In a significant development, the government has decided to include the mother’s name in the new passports.

The father’s name is already part of the existing passports, and the mother’s name will be added in future passports.

The decision is aimed at aligning the passport system with international standards as well as to address the specific needs of Pakistani society.

Sources in the Passport Directorate stated that “the step is in accordance with modern travel requirements, and it will not only simplify identity verification for citizens but also eliminate complications related to travel documents”.

The sources further said that including the mother’s name will benefit those citizens whose fathers have passed away or who, for any reason, are estranged from their fathers and face difficulties in obtaining official documents.

After the implementation of the new policy, individuals applying for a passport will be required to provide their mother’s name, which will be prominently included in the personal information section of the passport.

Passport officials believe that this decision will not only improve the compatibility of Pakistan’s data with international systems but also strengthen the basic rights of citizens — particularly the right to identity for women.