The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has ruled that tribal chiefs have no legal authority to verify identity cards or domicile certificates, stating that such powers rest only with officials designated under the law.
The court issued a detailed verdict in a case concerning the role of tribal leadership in the verification of official documents.
The court said that identity cards and domicile certificates are issued strictly under established legal procedures, and only authorised authorities are permitted to verify such documents.
It further stated that no tribal chief can be granted powers outside the framework of the law, adding that the tribal system lost its legal status in 1976.
The bench noted that while tribal leadership may continue as a regional tradition, it does not hold legal authority, and such customs cannot be formally recognised by the courts.
The court also dismissed the appeal on the grounds that the petitioner was not an affected party. It said only individuals who are directly deprived of identity documents have the right to approach the court.
According to the judgement, the petitioner, Ghulam Ali, had claimed to be the head of the Kharoti tribe in Balochistan and argued that members of his tribe faced difficulties in obtaining document verification.
The 12-page verdict was authored by Justice Rozi Khan, upholding an earlier decision of the Balochistan High Court.
