ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has initiated an investigation against Nadra chairman Tariq Malik and the Federal Investigation Agency has summoned him, Dawn has learnt.

Mr Malik was sacked by the PML-N government on Dec 2 without giving him a show-cause notice, but he was reinstated by the Islamabad High Court the following day.

FIA inspector Azmat Khan issued a notice to Mr Malik on Monday asking him to appear before him (inspector).

A copy of the notice obtained by Dawn said: “Pl find enclose herewith a summon 160 CrPC issued by inspector M Azmat Khan in the name of Muhammad Tariq Malik ex-chairman Nadra for his personal appearance in the subject inquiry on the date mentioned in the summon.”

Meanwhile, the interior ministry directed Mr Malik to provide no-objection certificates if issued for his official foreign tours and notifications of his appointment as deputy chairman and chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority.

A source close to the Nadra chairman told Dawn that according to the summon, Mr Malik was supposed to appear before the FIA inspector on Dec 31, but he remained busy the whole day in the Election Commission of Pakistan in connection with his engagements for the coming local government elections.

The source said the Nadra chairman had already provided details of NoCs he had got from the competent authority for his official foreign tours.

Mr Malik has also provided copies of notifications issued by the previous PPP government to appoint him as deputy chairman and chairman of Nadra.

The matter of Nadra chairman’s removal is sub judice and it is believed that during court proceedings, the FIA or any other authority cannot summon Mr Malik.

On Dec 15, the government sacked chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Chaudhry Abdur Rashid and appointed another official of Pemra Rao Tehsin as its acting chairman.

The Islamabad High Court granted stay against the removal of Mr Rashid on Dec 16.

Meanwhile, the government appointed Interior Secretary Shahid Khan as acting chairman of Pemra and formed a committee headed by Information Secretary Nazir Saeed to investigate the alleged irregularities committed by Mr Rashid.

Mr Rashid has reportedly gone on leave for 15 days to avoid pressures.