LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday restrained National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Deputy Chairman Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah from functioning and also suspended his post.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah issued the order hearing a petition challenging appointment of several members of the Nadra board and its deputy chairman for being made in violation of rules.

Advocate Ahmad Pansota argued on behalf of the petitioner that under the law there was no post of deputy chairman in Nadra. However, then interior minister Nisar Ali Khan chairing a board meeting approved the appointment of the respondent as deputy chairman.

The counsel argued the minister presided over the meeting of Nadra’s board illegally as chairman was the authority to head the meetings.

He pointed out that the court previously stopped the deputy chairman from attending Nadra board meetings but he ignored the order and continued to take part in the subsequent meetings.

Advocate Pansota stated that in a related case, the Islamabad High Court also set aside the post of the deputy chairman.

Chief Justice Shah expressed concern over the appointment of the respondent against a post which never existed in the law.

Nadra Chairman Usman Yousaf, present in the court, assured the chief justice that the order would be implemented in letter and spirit.

The CJ adjourned hearing till Oct 18 and also sought a compliance report from the chairman.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2017