In a rare decision, the Lahore High Court has ordered Pakistan’s national registration authority to issue a new identity card to a woman who converted from Islam to Christianity 15 years ago.
The woman, whose name is withheld for safety, left Islam and married a Christian man in 2009. Despite repeated applications, officials at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) refused to change her religion on official records.
Her lawyer, Lazar Allah Rakha, said the refusal had caused serious problems for the family, including difficulties registering their five children and enrolling them in school. “NADRA’s denial was a clear violation of Article 20 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to profess and practise one’s faith,” he said.
The case was supported by advocacy group Christian Solidarity International. Rakha told the court that the woman had converted of her own free will, been baptised by a pastor, and married in a Christian ceremony.
In October 2024, when she again tried to have her documents corrected, NADRA officials reportedly rejected her baptism and marriage certificates and even threatened her for leaving Islam.
On 1 July, Justice Shahid Karim ruled that the matter should be treated as a “mistaken entry” and ordered NADRA to issue the woman a new identity card showing Christianity as her religion.
While Pakistan has no specific law against apostasy, converts from Islam often face threats of violence and the risk of prosecution under blasphemy laws. According to NADRA policy, Muslims cannot officially change their religion, but those converting to Islam can amend their records.
The court’s order has brought relief to the family after years of legal and personal challenges. “They are overjoyed that this long battle is finally over,” Rakha said.
This is a rewritten version of the original article published on Morning Star News.
