NADRA blocks Musharraf’s CNIC, passport

A special court hearing a high treason case had ordered government to suspend his passport, CNIC

ISLAMABAD: National Registration and Database Authority (NADRA) has suspended the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) of General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, sources told The Express Tribune on Thursday.

With the suspension of his CNIC, by default, his passport would also be suspended, sources further stated. As his passport has also been blocked, Musharraf would not be able to travel in any country, due to which his stay in Dubai also becomes illegal.

It was also learnt that as a result of the suspension of his documents, the former president has very limited options. Sources said that now he can either seek political asylum or have special documents arranged if he desires to return to Pakistan.

In an unprecedented move, in March 2018, a special court hearing the high treason case against Musharraf had ordered the federal government to suspend his passport and CNIC. The special court in its order had stated that in case the accused fails to submit his written request as mentioned hereinabove the ministry of interior and all other departments, divisions and agencies of the government of Pakistan are to take positive steps in ensuring the arrest of the accused and attachment of his properties abroad, including suspension of the CNIC and passport of the accused.

Complying with these orders, the Minister of Interior by the end of May had asked NADRA to suspend the CNIC of the former military ruler. However, the media department of NADRA, its spokesperson, and Chairman Usman Mobin were all unavailable for comment on the development.