Islamabad High Court restores Tariq Malik as NADRA chairman
The government had removed Malik and appointed Brigadier (retd) Zahid as acting chairman.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Tariq Malik again assumed charge as Chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Tuesday.
Earlier, Islamabad High Court suspended notification issued by the government regarding Tariq Malik s removal from the post of chairman NADRA.
Tariq Malik had challenged the decision of the government decision in the Islamabad High Court.
In his arguments, Counsel of Tariq Malik, Babar Sattar maintained the stance that legal procedure was not completed to remove Chairman NADRA.
He told the court that NADRA chairman can be removed when he himself resigns or shows any negligence during his duties while not showcase notice was issued to Tariq Malik in this regard.
Brigadier (retd) Zahid Hussain’s counsel Shoaib Shaheen took the stance that acting chairman of NADRA has already assumed the charge.
Upon this, Justice Anwar-ul-Haq Qureshi expressed annoyance and remarked that the court can announce its order even if the acting chairman has assumed the charge.
After the completion of arguments, the IHC suspended both notification issued by the federal government.
Islamabad High Court summoned the federal government and Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan on December 11.
Talking to media after the hearing, Advocate Babar Sattar, counsel of Tariq Malik said vote verification issue during general elections was the main reason behind Malik s removal.
He said that Tariq Malik received threatening letters and telephone calls whereas the interior ministry was also informed about this.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government had removed Tariq Malik from NADRA chairman’s post and appointed Brigadier (retd) Zahid as acting chairman.
According to sources, vote verification issue during general elections 2013 was the main reason behind Tariq Malik s removal.
He was also under pressure regarding vote verification process in NA-118 constituency of Lahore.
Pakistan Muslim Leagu-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Malik Riaz Hussain was declared successful in NA-118, whereas, his opponent Hamid Zaman from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) had filed a request to the election tribunal to verify the votes.
Soon after that, NADRA was about to verify thumb impressions of the voters.
