Karachi police chief forbids cops from asking couples for proof of marriage

E-Paper | March 15, 2026

The Karachi police chief has discouraged cops from harassing couples and asking them to prove that they are married.

In a notification dated Oct 9 newly appointed Additional Inspector General of Police Amir Sheikh noted: "There is a general complaint that policemen in mobiles and motorcycles harass and humiliate couples by asking them to show 'nikahnama' to prove their credentials as husband and wife."

"You are hereby directed to issue strict instructions to the subordinate staff not to demand 'nikahnama' from any person. In future, such complaints shall not be tolerated and action against supervising officers will also be initiated," the notification added.

The letter was addressed to the Deputy Inspector Generals (DIG) South, West and East Zones Karachi, Javed Alam Odho, Khadim Hussain Rind and Amir Farooqui.

Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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Najum

Oct 10, 2018 01:21pm

Good one. It was disgusting to begin with.

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Pak-UK

Oct 10, 2018 01:25pm

Very well done.

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Shah

Oct 10, 2018 01:25pm

Seriously, why is this even a problem. Who in their right minds goes around with their Nikkah Nama in the pockets?

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M.S

Oct 10, 2018 01:29pm

Absolutely good move. The Police has nothing to do with going around asking people to prove their marriage. Moral Policing by Law Enforcing Units is not required, it should be left to the person's own conscience & upbringing to decide themselves! If they are found in compromising activity, legal recourse including arresting and proving themselves in Court of Law should be the way to go!

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Jalbani Baloch

Oct 10, 2018 01:34pm

That is a good step and it must be appreciated. The police has no right to ask for marriage contract, which nobody carries while travelling in the city or outside. However, it must be mandatory for the people to carry their CNICs to prove their identity, as and when demanded, by the Law Enforcing Agencies.

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L.Ahmad

Oct 10, 2018 01:53pm

Very wise and sensible decision.

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Atif Khan

Oct 10, 2018 01:54pm

Good decisiin. Focus on justice. Leave morality for cuvil society to determine by itself.

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Taha

Oct 10, 2018 01:55pm

All of us have suffered at hands of police in name of nikahnama ... it was only a way to humiliate and take advantage from vulnerable couples . No where in the world any one asks for such evidence . Only in the land of pure this happens

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Karachi Wala

Oct 10, 2018 02:20pm

Welcome to 18th century. This harassment by cops should have been stopped long ago.

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Amjad

Oct 10, 2018 02:32pm

Policemen will find other ways to harass the couple. For example, It has been heard that policemen caught the youngsters sitting at the sea view beach and saying "we have seen you involved in unethical activity" or "you have to accompany us to the police station to ascertain that you are husband and wife". The police system needs to be revamped and their mentality towards the people also requires complete overhaul..

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hani

Oct 10, 2018 02:47pm

Papers please

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hani

Oct 10, 2018 02:48pm

Take a pic of your nikkah naamah and store it in the cloud for easy access. You don't need to carry the hard copy with you just your phone. Wedding pictures and supporting affidavits would help too.

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Harmony-1©

Oct 10, 2018 02:54pm

@Shah - It was just a tactic to get bribe from the hapless people.

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Reality Bites

Oct 10, 2018 02:56pm

I have been a victim of this harassment by plain clothed so called police on Clifton beach in the 90's. Another one of Zia ul Haq's misguided ideas.

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Arij Khan

Oct 10, 2018 02:59pm

Finally some positive moves from a force which had long ago lost the respect of the people.

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Hamed Quraishi

Oct 10, 2018 03:01pm

finally some are using their brains.

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Noman

Oct 10, 2018 03:22pm

@hani why is there even a need to do that?

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M1 Jamal

Oct 10, 2018 03:44pm

Though all these actions are commendable but in a society where people are well off and have nothing to worry for their livelihood and street crimes.Do the AIG know how much Bhatta is collected on monthly basis by our Karachi traffic police from public transporters and private vehicles in Karachi.With the government of PTI coming in power we were under the impression that the road corruption crime of the traffic police will come to an end but we are wrong.The joke is the government fine people for not wearing helmets from the poor people but street crimes and mafia is roaming on roads without fear.

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Gerry dcunha

Oct 10, 2018 04:01pm

Interior minister Sheyar khan is doing an excellent job. Hats off to him. Other ministers should follow his steps

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Gerry dcunha

Oct 10, 2018 04:03pm

Sindh police are the most corrupt in the province

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Shahzad

Oct 10, 2018 04:22pm

@Gerry dcunha dude you have to meet punjab police. Your claim about most corrupt will change.

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Guljee

Oct 10, 2018 05:12pm

@hani what's the need to do so. Why should people show their marriage photos to police? I believe that's something personal but you don't think so

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Ahmed

Oct 10, 2018 05:17pm

He just shut them off from one of their main sources of income.

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zak

Oct 10, 2018 05:18pm

Good directive. Respect peoples own morality. They could be more pious than the policeman.

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Shahid

Oct 10, 2018 05:18pm

Thank You

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concernedcitizen

Oct 10, 2018 05:54pm

this is a shameful act of police to get bribery or to harass citizens. Good move and this should be dealt with Iron hand

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Zille

Oct 10, 2018 06:10pm

@Shah Demand for Nikahnama is another way to collect bribe. Do the cops ever carry their nikahnama?

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Zille

Oct 10, 2018 06:12pm

@hani Cops will not believe it. They will find another excuse. They might keep your cell phone for invstigation.

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ABL

Oct 10, 2018 06:20pm

Interesting, Nikahnama in our pockets. So funny! May be, we should ask all married couples to re-register and issue them a plastic card like NIC with fancy IT chips, small in size to fit in the wallet. Would that make us first country in the entire world to be asked to keep Nikah plastic card in our wallets?? Poor policeman, they have just lost one of their popular way of making money.

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Pervez

Oct 10, 2018 06:54pm

@hani but why?

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Bin Adam

Oct 10, 2018 06:55pm

The long awaited and highly appreciable step taken by the Police Chief to save the citizens from the wild brutality of the cops many of whom are themselves having the past history of being worst criminals. I hope this will be practically implemented.

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Asif A. Shah

Oct 10, 2018 06:57pm

The relationship between two adults should be based on consent alone.

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AXH

Oct 10, 2018 07:10pm

Change is already here.

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Barrister A. J. Khan

Oct 10, 2018 07:25pm

This was a ridiculous practice on the part of our beat cops to try and extract a bribe. Good move, but a lot needs to be done to reform our police force.

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BNS

Oct 10, 2018 07:29pm

Thank you. Just being or travelling together, even if they are not married, is no crime. Unless and until someone is doing illegal activities, police should not approach or interfere.

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Big Bird

Oct 10, 2018 07:47pm

Asking couples for proof of marriage is not the job of the police. They are simply wasting valuable time.

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farass

Oct 10, 2018 08:34pm

Disgusting. Nonone keeps the nikah nama with him when going outside with his wife. Policemen should focus on law and order situation and donot try to become Shurtas!

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Such Bolo

Oct 10, 2018 08:39pm

Karachi police is only trying to prevent degeneration of society to copy western countries.

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Nadia Kamran

Oct 10, 2018 08:46pm

Nadra could solve this problem easily. Nadra should made an additional word "married with ..." or "unmarried" on every cnic. It will help police to judge the person easily.

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skz

Oct 10, 2018 09:03pm

@hani But why? Police has no business with one's marriage.

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Mo Ash

Oct 10, 2018 09:10pm

Long overdue directive; better late than never.

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Vijay B.

Oct 10, 2018 09:15pm

Be glad they do not ask for birth certificates of the children when you are travelling with your family, or taking them to school even.

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Lal khan

Oct 10, 2018 09:45pm

Such a relief. One couldn't even go to Clifton beach with wife much less a girlfriend. I doubt though that anything would change.

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Lal khan

Oct 10, 2018 09:46pm

Hopefully this gets expanded to whole country. I remember few run ins like that. Nice times. Added to adrenaline rush though, so kind of off sets it, yeah?

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Lal khan

Oct 10, 2018 09:49pm

@Vijay B. Maybe next is on road DNA tests of children to check paternity or any unethical action city involved!

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Zeeshandxb

Oct 10, 2018 10:12pm

I think nadra card is enough. Unless any obscene act is being noticed, it shouldn't matter who is travelling with who

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Faisal Asghar

Oct 10, 2018 10:18pm

Very good step

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Changez Khan

Oct 10, 2018 10:26pm

This is by far the most stupidest thing Karachi police was doing asking couples for proof of marriage. Have they lost their mind?

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alitonio

Oct 10, 2018 10:26pm

but nothing gets implemented. i just paid 'fine' yesterday for not wearing helmet. policemen do whatever they wanna do anyway. the society needs to be educated as a whole. it is a sick mentality. people just look at a couple and feel jealous and harass them calling it ghairat.

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Sami

Oct 10, 2018 10:54pm

A very good development

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Syed ji

Oct 10, 2018 11:42pm

all becaue of IK.

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Texan

Oct 10, 2018 11:54pm

So, what if the couple says they are brother sisters, cousins, or friends? Do they ask for proof?

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Zen

Oct 11, 2018 12:20am

@M1 Jamal ; But why you don’t wear Helmets: required by law : police is 200%correct to demand and fine : for not wearing helmets: no excuses! Just wear it

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Zen

Oct 11, 2018 12:23am

If parents are not worried about it : than why police is responsible!

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Chinpaksaddique

Oct 11, 2018 12:27am

Great action under PTI. I go around with my girl friends and this issue has been a nuisance. They have no right on my prIvate matters

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wsyed

Oct 11, 2018 12:32am

What about the rest of Pakistan? Police is the source of most of crimes in Lahore. It starts with the airport staff upon arrival, who inform their friends of possible victims. Most people are afraid to report crimes to police because they know that will give police an invitation to harass them for bribes.

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Oct 11, 2018 12:33am

It is not the business of the government if any couple is married or unmarried. Moral policing is despicable

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Ansar rizvi

Oct 11, 2018 01:04am

This police chief is really serious and wants to do something good for Karachi. Thanks.

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AZAM AKBAR

Oct 11, 2018 02:36am

@Lal khan Mr. Lal Khan, The main source of income of the police is bribery, unfortunately.

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Habibullah Marwat

Oct 11, 2018 03:09am

Rights of individuals should be respected. Curbing freedom only gives rise to corruption. It was a derogatory rule.

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Rev. Eldrick Lal

Oct 11, 2018 04:21am

It is a good step.

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Abbastoronto

Oct 11, 2018 05:03am

An important step towards de-ziafication. Finally the nation can grow again.

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IMRAN QURAISHI

Oct 11, 2018 06:45am

no wonder why no one dates any more in Karachi. When I was growing up in the good old days things were way different then and I would walk hand in hand with my girlfriend at Paradise Poinnt and believe it or not no questions asked. Wish those times would come back.

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Ahmed

Oct 11, 2018 07:30am

When and why was this right was given to the Police in the first place?

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Omar

Oct 11, 2018 08:31am

@hani what business is of state to ask anyone about nikahnans anyways.

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Omar

Oct 11, 2018 08:36am

Wait till mullah come out in force against this order .

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Majid

Oct 11, 2018 07:59pm

@Atif Khan well said

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