Islamabad, Sep 19: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been ordered to cease collecting fees for issuing inheritance certificates immediately. According to specifics, this ruling was reached at a Sindh High Court (SHC) hearing on a petition that contested NADRA’s practice of charging PKR 22,000 for the service.
The petitioner’s attorney claimed that NADRA is in violation of its own rules when it keeps collecting fees even in cases where requests for inheritance certificates are denied. These regulations state that payments are only due when services are rendered; a request that is denied does not result in a service.
Furthermore, the attorney emphasized that the existing fee structure is unreasonable because inheritance certificates are issued in accordance with Islamic law to disperse property among rightful heirs.
The SHC responded by directing NADRA to immediately cease collecting fees for letters of administration and inheritance certificates. The court did clarify, though, that there will still be expenses associated with using other NADRA services, like obtaining identity cards and family registration certificates.
The court voiced concerns throughout the hearing over the state’s ability to collect fees for inheritance certificates and the jurisdiction of NADRA to impose fees based on property ownership. The court has set a deadline of September 29 for comments from all concerned parties, including the deputy attorney general and assistant advocate general, and has asked for additional clarity on these issues.
