The petitioner argued that the caretaker government had overstepped its authority by amending the NADRA Act to appoint a serving army officer and that such a move was not permissible under the law.
LHC restores Lt Gen Munir Afsar appointment as NADRA chairman. Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday restored the appointment of Lieutenant General Munir Afsar as chairman of the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).
A single-member Lahore High Court (LHC) bench nullified Lieutenant General Munir Afsar’s appointment as NADRA chairman in response to a petition filed by Ashba Kamran, challenging his appointment of October 2.
The petitioner argued that the caretaker government had overstepped its authority by amending the NADRA Act to appoint a serving army officer and that such a move was not permissible under the law.
Following the court’s verdict, the Attorney General on behalf of the federal government challenged the judgment to reinstate the chairman Nadra. A two-member bench of LHC headed by Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal took up the plea and suspended the single-member bench’s ruling.
During the hearing, the state lawyer argued that the petitioner had never challenged the new rules in the Nadra laws as he had only challenged the appointment notification issued by the then-caretaker government.
The court has issued notices to the respondents for their response in the case.
NADRA, the National Database and Registration Authority, is a key governmental agency in Pakistan responsible for managing and maintaining the country’s database of citizen records. Its primary functions include:
- National Identification: NADRA issues National Identity Cards (NICs) to Pakistani citizens, which serve as the primary means of identification.
- Registration of Citizens: The authority manages the registration of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, maintaining an up-to-date database of these records.
- Digital Services: NADRA provides digital services such as e-IDs, biometric verification, and online portals for various governmental and private sector services.
- Voter Registration: It manages the voter registration process, ensuring that all eligible citizens are registered to vote in elections.
- Data Security: NADRA is responsible for securing the personal data of citizens and ensuring that it is used in compliance with privacy laws.
- Verification Services: It offers verification services for identity, address, and other personal information, often used in various public and private sector applications.
- Documentation for Government Programs: NADRA supports various government programs by providing necessary documentation and data verification services.
By maintaining comprehensive and accurate records, NADRA plays a crucial role in the administrative functions of Pakistan and helps facilitate various services for its citizens.
