Matrimony without borders: Explanation sought over delay in issuing passports

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has sought comments from the director general of immigration and passports, ministry of interior over a case of three foreigners who have not been issued passports after marrying Pakistani nationals. A two-member division bench comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan was informed by the petitioners’ counsel Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi that Chinese national Ruxiangul Maikurban had married Pakistani citizen Muhammad Zahid, a resident of Peshawar, around 15 years ago. photo 3_zps665df41e.jpg Qureshi further informed the bench that his client, after getting married, had applied for a Pakistani passport but authorities adopted delaying tactics and are yet to issue it. The petitioner wants to return to her home country but is facing travel issues as a result. The counsel further told the bench his two other clients, Maulvi Abdul Haq of Mardan and Noor Muhammad of Peshawar, are Afghan citizens who married Pakistani women. They have also applied for Pakistani passports to travel to their home country. photo 4_zps2150442d.jpg After hearing preliminary arguments from the counsel, the court issued orders to relevant officials of the federal government and sought explanation in writing as to why the petitioners have not been issued their passports till now. Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2014.