PTI wants NADRA chief out

Babar Awan claims Usman Mobeen was sharing sensitive information with PML-N

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has accused the head of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) of sharing “sensitive information” with the PML-N in a bid to help it “influence” the general elections.

The party has demanded that the interim government remove NADRA Chairman Usman Yousuf Mobeen to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

PTI Senior Vice-President Babar Awan made the demand while talking to reporters here in Islamabad.

“A dangerous plan is in the making,” Awan cautioned when asked about nature of “sensitive information” allegedly shared by chairman NADRA with PML-N. He did not give further details.

Upon the expiry of his three-year contract  in February 2018, the PML-N government had approved Mobeen’s reappointment as NADRA chairman for the next three years. Being the top database authority of the country, NADRA has access to all information about citizens and plays a key role in the preparation of electoral rolls.

Awan further said that PTI had forged an electoral alliance, in terms of seat adjustment, with the PML-Q in Gujrat and Chakwal districts, while negotiations were under way with Sindh’s Grand Democratic Alliance.

PTI has not fielded candidates in two national assembly constituencies in Gujrat and one NA seat in Chakwal. Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will contest the next general elections from Chakwal and PTI would support him, he said.

Awan said PTI had successfully passed the first critical phase of the elections – choosing the best candidates – and now it would initiate its formal election campaign once Imran Khan returns from Saudi Arabia. Khan flew out on Monday to perform Umrah.

Awan said that all district coordination officers (DCOs) in Punjab were appointees of PML-N and requested the caretaker set-up to do a major bureaucratic reshuffle, especially in Punjab, to provide a level playing field to all political parties in the July 25 elections.

He said that PTI would soon write a letter to Caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk for the transfer of all DCOs as well as the police chiefs in all four provinces.

He also accused the country’s civilian intelligence agency – Intelligence Bureau (IB) – of running a political cell which he claimed was established by the PML-N government.