LHC bars Pak Interior Minister from chairing NADRA meetings

Lahore [Pakistan], Jan. 11 (ANI): The Lahore High Court (LHC) has restrained Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali from presiding over the meetings of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Board until further notice. The court has also stopped NADRA Authority Board deputy chairman Muzaffar Ali Khan, members of the board Tariq Akbar and Tariq Mehmood from performing their duties after petition filed by advocate Owaisur Rehman was heard by a single bench of LHC consisting of Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Tuesday, reports the Daily Times. The petitioner has alleged that the Nisar has no authorisation to preside over the board as NADRA is an independent institution and its ordinance does not allow the minister to chair the meetings. According to a media report, Rehman hs also claimed that the Interior Minister was using NADRA for 'political purposes' and to influence the authority by chairing its meetings. The petitioner said appointments were being made in violation of regulations and without being advertised. Chief Justice Shah remarked that the government's counsel should advise the government about letting the institutions run independently and emphasised that no compromise will be made on the freedom of the institutions. The LHC adjourned the hearing of the case for 10 days. (ANI)