SHC Directs Authorities to Register Orphaned Children in Sindh

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has instructed the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), the provincial social welfare department, and relevant union councils to establish a standardized and child-sensitive process for registering abandoned and orphaned children residing in orphanages across Sindh.

A two-member constitutional bench of the SHC, led by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, issued these directives while hearing two petitions submitted by an orphanage. The court emphasized the need for authorities to facilitate the issuance of birth certificates and Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) or child registration certificates for these children within a reasonable timeframe. The aim is to ensure that orphaned and abandoned children are not denied their fundamental rights, including legal identity, access to education, healthcare, and social protection.

The SHC further directed that the registration process should not require parental details. Instead, verification by the head of the orphanage institution, in accordance with existing laws and policies, should be considered sufficient for registration purposes. This approach is intended to remove administrative barriers that often hinder orphaned children from obtaining official documentation.

The court's order calls for the relevant authorities to collaborate and create a uniform mechanism that addresses the unique circumstances of children living in orphanages. The bench highlighted the importance of timely action to prevent deprivation of basic rights for these vulnerable children.

Officials have been asked to ensure that the new procedures are implemented promptly and that all necessary support is provided to orphanage managements to facilitate the registration process. The SHC's directives are seen as a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of abandoned and orphaned children in Sindh.