After Nisar’s departure: Internal probe launched against key NADRA official

Deputy chairman accused of misuse of authority, harassment; internal rift affecting NADRA’s performance


Danish Hussain August 19, 2017
PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD: After the exit of former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, inquiries have been initiated against the deputy chairman of the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), who was considered close to Nisar – a situation of conflict that is affecting the authority’s performance.

Launching an internal inquiry, the chairman NADRA has appointed DG of the Regional Head Office Sargodha as convener of a three-man committee that will probe into the allegations of misuse of powers by deputy chairman Sahibzada Muzzafar Ali.

According to the available documents, the deputy chairman ‘misused’ his powers by exonerating a junior lady officer – who had, in the past, moved the court of law and other available forums against harassment at workplace and also sought justice from the authorities concerned.

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A departmental inquiry was conducted against her by DG Operations Brig (retd) Nasar Ahmed Mir, who later handed her the major penalty of removal from service.

Later, paying heed to repeated appeals by the female officer at several forums, the deputy chairman converted the major penalty into ‘censure’ on June 19, and later censure into ‘exoneration from all charges’ on June 23.

The deputy chairman is facing another internal inquiry, which has been initiated after the lady officer’s uncle Syed Muhammad Zubair filed a complaint against him for alleged harassment at workplace and illegal gratification.

The complainant alleged that the deputy chairman not only sexually harassed his niece as an inquiry officer, but also created hurdles in her promotion.

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Sources close to the deputy chairman claimed that a ‘targeted campaign’ had been initiated against him, following the departure of former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar as the deputy chairman was considered closer to Nisar than the incumbent chairman.

When contacted, a senior officer of NADRA claimed that the inquiry into misuse of powers had been initiated after completion of the required procedure.

“After the deputy chairman exonerated the lady officer by exceeding his powers, he was issued a show-cause notice by NADRA Chairman Usman Yousuf Mobeen,” he said.

He said the deputy chairman preferred not to reply to that notice, adding that after the lapse of the time period mentioned in the notice, a formal inquiry was kicked off.

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