Tariq Malik. PHOTO: FILE
The case is being heard at the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
In a surprise move, the government had removed Malik on the night of December 3 and appointed a new chairman within hours. However, the IHC had reinstated him the next morning and suspended his termination orders.
“The high court should give its decision today,” Sheikh added.
In response to this Justice Noor-ul-Haq N Qureshi stated that all respondents will be given sufficient time and the court will even keep hearings on Saturdays and Sundays if the need arises.
Saga
Malik’s sacking came only days after an election tribunal asked NADRA to verify the thumb impressions of voters from the Lahore constituency NA-118, won by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Malik Riaz.
On December 12, Malik had insisted that no rules were violated upon his assumption of office, dismissing a government claim that his appointment was illegal. He had told IHC in his response that he was appointed chairman in August 2013 on an ex officio basis after being interviewed by a selection committee, in accordance with the NADRA Employees (Service) Regulations, 2002, as it was felt that there ought to be greater representation of the management within the authority.
He had also clarified that his appointment as member (of the authority) was not a promotion nor did it involve or entail any financial consequences since he did not draw any remuneration.
The Supreme Court had directed IHC on December 10 to settle the case in a month. Forwarding the government’s request challenging the reinstatement, the apex court had also ordered the IHC to make a decision regarding its stay order in 15 days.
The opposition parties had teamed up against the government over sacking as they built up their case that the move was aimed at concealing rigging in general elections.
The Express Tribune had also learnt that an audit team – on the wishes of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan – had prepared a 14-point charge-sheet against the NADRA chief.
Malik’s counsel had rejected government’s claims.
COMMENTS (11)
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And IHC will take back his verdict on the direction of SC.
Shameless conduct of the writer of this story. And by "shameless", I literally mean "shameless".
ET please be as a party of PML-N.........
Who comes up with these headlines at ET? Lawyers say a lot of things in court which more often mean absolutely nothing. And in this particular case, Government's counsel is known for doing that and nothing more!! The headline doesn't even say that this was said by the Government's counsel. I see a lot of yellow here!!!
@haroon: yes, it is a clear conflict of interest but then who cares!
Keep rollin'
Why is the federal lawyers statement headlines rather than Maliks? Come on ET, reduce your pro-pmln bias.
@A2Z:
If the elections were rigged in the whole of Pakistan, were they legit in KPK? Furthermore, why is IK and his party part of a dispensation which according to him came into existence on the back of engineered and rigged elections? This Noora Kushti and Muk Muka will not work any longer. To put an end to this notion of hypocrisy, PTI should withdraw from KPK and resign from NA and lead mass agitation on the streets.
This is what "Opposition" means in its true letter and spirit, as once eloquently explained to PML-N by philosopher Imran Socrates Khan Niazi.
'An audit team on the wishes of speaker Ayaz Sadiq..' I didnt know it was speakers duty to audit Chairman NADRA. Secondly isn't this the same guy whose constituency is being probed via thumb verification?
My dear ET Team!!...The headline looked as if you are reporting and endorsing that the irrelevant evidence was submitted. You guys are well experienced journalists not that naive that you would not understand how little differences in reporting can change entire meanings and perspectives. There are lots of people who just look at headlines and not the detailed news. So, please don't do this. This gentleman Mr Tariq Malik is being "Harassed" by big-wigs of ruling party whose sheer positions are in danger if Thumb verification of votes goes as planned and endorsed by this very NADRA Chairman.
Come on ET and its readers, now bash IK for his stance on election rigging...Shame on all of you.