Fake NIC issue lands in Supreme Court

Islamabad High Court drops the case against NADRA team.

ISLAMABAD:

A case against a National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) mobile team for issuing illegal NICs to Bahria Town employees was taken up by the Supreme Court in a suo moto action. Earlier, residents of NA-52 had submitted a petition against the NADRA employees in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

During the course of hearing, the counsel for the petitioner, Akram Shiekh, informed Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan of IHC that the Supreme Court had taken notice of the case and requested the court to adjourn the case.

“Chief Justice has directed Chairman NADRA to file his comments by April 19,” said Shiekh.  Athar Minullah, and Barrister Gohar, lawyers representing Malik Riaz, Chairman of Bahria Town, were also present at the court. The case was adjourned for an indefinite period.

On March 18, the court had issued notices to the Malik Riaz, Chairman (NADRA) Ali Arshad Hakeem, Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan Election Commission of Pakistan and the Interior Secretary. This was after the resident of NA-52 challenged the ‘illegal’ issuance of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICS) to private housing society employees.

The petitioners, registered voters of NA-52, contended that some officials of NADRA at the behest of Bahria Town chairman were allegedly providing CNICs to the housing society employees.

The petitioner said Bahria Town chairman had directed issuance of fresh CNICs with Bahria Town addresses for 21,000 employees of Bahria Town and their dependents. He said hundreds of CNICs were issued at a single address which is in violation of section-11 of the Electoral Rolls Act 1974.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2011.