LHC bars Nisar from chairing Nadra meetings

CJ says the court will not let undermine the independence of institutions

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday restrained Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar from chairing meetings of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) until further notice.

The court also restrained deputy chairman of the authority from working. The orders came as LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard a petition regarding the deputation of eight members at Nadra authority board. Justice Shah remarked that the court would not let [anyone] undermine the independence of institutions.

The petitioner Awaisur Rehman Advocate upheld that Nadra Ordinance does not allow the interior minister to chair meetings of the board. Despite this, meetings of the board are held with Nisar in the chair.



Rehman went on to claim that interior minister was using Nadra for his "political purposes and influencing the authority by chairing its meetings." The petitioner said that appointments at Nadra are being made in violation of rules while these are also not being advertised.

After hearing arguments of all sides, the court restrained the interior minister from heading the meetings as well as issued a stay order to restrain Nadra authority's deputy chairman from working.