Sindh High Court Sets Aside Order Blocking Citizen’s CNIC in Financial Dispute Case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has declared null and void a lower court’s order directing the blocking of a citizen’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) in a financial dispute case.

The case was heard in connection with a petition challenging the blocking of a CNIC ordered by a subordinate court. During the proceedings, the high court observed that blocking a citizen’s identity card is unlawful and violates fundamental rights.

In its detailed written judgment, Justice Hassan Akbar stated that there is no legal provision allowing the blocking of CNICs. The court further noted that the Supreme Court has already clarified that the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, as applicable in Sindh, does not contain any provision authorizing such action.

The judgment also highlighted that neither the Code of Criminal Procedure nor any other applicable law provides a clear legal basis for blocking CNICs. It added that courts have discouraged the practice even under the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Ordinance, 2000.

The court observed that blocking a CNIC effectively paralyses a citizen’s life, depriving them of access to education, healthcare, employment, and banking facilities.

The petitioner, Muhammad Rashid, had challenged the order issued by a Senior Civil Judge (South) that led to the blocking of his CNIC in a financial dispute matter.