The right of children to identity is globally recognised, with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasising its critical importance. As a signatory to this convention, Pakistan is committed to upholding and protecting this right. Yet for many children in the country, access to legal identity remains a distant dream.

Orphans, street children and those without parental presence often struggle to gain legal recognition. This issue stems largely from insufficient sensitisation among government officials, weak advocacy and a lack of policy focus on identity rights for vulnerable children.

Pakistan's Constitution offers a strong legal foundation. Article 4 guarantees every citizen the inalienable right to be treated in accordance with the law, without discrimination. Article 9 ensures the right to life and liberty, recognising personal identity as central to human dignity. Article 25 promotes equality and prohibits discrimination based on gender.

In 2016, NADRA introduced the Orphan Registration Policy to help fill this gap. The policy acknowledged the vulnerabilities faced by orphaned children and emphasised the importance of formal registration as a gateway to securing legal identity. However, the policy mainly covers children in registered orphanages or Child Protection Institutes — excluding thousands of street children and those in informal care arrangements.

Pakistan's judiciary has repeatedly underscored the state's obligation to protect children without parental care. In a landmark 2014 case, the Supreme Court directed provincial chief secretaries to assist NADRA in registering orphans and abandoned children.

The petition, filed by Abdul Sattar Edhi,........

© The Express Tribune