Advocacy
- The Edge Foundation is dedicated to promoting freedom of religion or belief, as well as the rights of religious minorities, women, and children in Pakistan. We have access to first-hand information while ensuring the security and integrity of our sources.
- In addition to uplifting and supporting disadvantaged and persecuted local communities, The Edge Foundation engages with local policymakers to safeguard religious freedom and to reform unjust and discriminatory laws and policies that affect religious minorities, women, and children.
- Through our advocacy efforts, we hold our leaders accountable to fulfil their duty to protect the religious freedom and rights of religious minorities, women, and children in Pakistan.
- The Edge Foundation is committed to documenting violations related to these issues and working towards lasting change.
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Report on NADRA Negligence and its impact on a Christian Family in Vehari
- Background:
It has come to the attention of The EDGE Foundation that a growing number of Christian citizens in Pakistan are facing severe hardships due to data entry errors and negligence by officials at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). These errors include the misspelling of names and, more alarmingly, incorrect entries in the religion field of official identity documents.
Most data entry staff at NADRA are from the Muslim majority and often demonstrate either a lack of sensitivity or carelessness while entering data for Christian citizens. These seemingly minor mistakes have devastating consequences, not only for the affected individuals but for their entire families.
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Case Study: Mr. Abdullah Masih – Vehari
On 28th June 2025, a team from The EDGE Foundation visited the residence of Mr. Abdullah Masih, a government servant in the Women Protection Department in Vehari, to document and assess his case of bureaucratic injustice.
Mr. Abdullah Masih has held a valid National Identity Card (NIC) previously, clearly identifying him as a Christian. However, upon renewal of his ID card, NADRA mistakenly listed his religion as Muslim instead of Christian.
Consequences of the Error:
Due to this error by NADRA, Mr. Abdullah Masih is now facing severe social and financial challenges:
• Salary Withheld: The bank has refused to release his government salary for the past three months, citing a mismatch between his NADRA record and official documents.
• Financial Hardship: Without access to his income, Mr. Abdullah Masih has been unable to pay for basic necessities. His electricity connection has been disconnected due to non-payment, cutting off access to water as well since the pump is powered electrically.
• Children’s Education Blocked: His four children are being denied admission to colleges and universities because of the incorrect data in their father’s identity documents.
• Legal Burden: Although the fault lies with NADRA, Mr. Abdullah Masih is required to undergo a legal process—including hiring a lawyer—to correct the mistake.
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EDGE Foundation’s Response:
Understanding the urgency of the matter, The EDGE Foundation has taken the following steps:
1. Immediate Relief:
Provided one month of groceries and emergency cash support to the family.
Arranged free legal aid to represent Mr. Abdullah Masih in the case against NADRA.
2. Legal Action:
A formal legal petition has been filed, and the hearing is scheduled.
The foundation is closely monitoring the legal process and ensuring Mr. Abdullah Masih is not left alone in this struggle.
3-Advocacy & Awareness:
The case is being documented for presentation to national and international human rights bodies to highlight systemic issues within NADRA affecting religious minorities.
Call for Urgent Action:
The case of Mr. Abdullah Masih is not isolated. Similar issues have been reported in other Christian families across the Vehari district. One previous case was resolved after a long and costly legal battle, which drained the family financially and emotionally.
The EDGE Foundation urges NADRA to:
• Acknowledge its administrative errors.
• Immediately correct the records without burdening the victims.
• Establish a fast-track complaint and correction mechanism for religious minorities.
• Ensure data entry staff are trained in sensitivity and accuracy, especially when dealing with religious minorities.
Conclusion:
The suffering of Mr. Abdullah Masih and his family is a direct result of NADRA’s negligence. Government departments must be held accountable for such critical errors that violate citizens’ fundamental rights. Until the matter is resolved, The EDGE Foundation will continue to provide financial, moral, and legal assistance to the affected family.
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- The Edge Foundation, P O Box No. 5043, Model Town, A Block Lahore, Pakistan
- info@edgefoundationpk.com
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