Karachi: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been ordered by the Sindh High Court (SHC) to cease charging fees for issuing inheritance certificates. This directive comes in response to a legal challenge questioning the authority’s fee imposition, particularly when requests for such certificates are denied.

According to Zameen.Com, the court’s decision was prompted by a petition highlighting NADRA’s practice of demanding a PKR 22,000 fee for inheritance certificates, even in cases where applications are rejected. The petitioner’s legal counsel argued that this practice contravenes NADRA’s own regulations, which stipulate that fees should only be collected for actual services rendered, and that a rejected request does not qualify as such.

The SHC’s ruling extends beyond just the fee for inheritance certificates, including also a stop on fees for letters of administration, though it maintains that charges for other services like identity card issuance will continue. The court also expressed concerns regarding NADRA’s authority to levy fees based on property ownership and the appropriateness of state-collected fees for inheritance certificates. A deadline of September 29 has been set for further clarifications from relevant parties, including the deputy attorney general and assistant advocate general.