ISLAMABAD: A constitutional petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against an amendment to the National and Database Registration Authority (NADRA) rules regarding the appointment of its chief. The petition challenges the amendment on the grounds that it is ultra vires the NADRA Ordinance 2000 and discriminatory, violating Articles 25 and 27 of the Constitution.
The petitioner argues that the NADRA chief should not engage in any other service, business, profession, or employment during the term of office, and the amendment contradicts Section 34 of the NADRA Ordinance.
The petitioner calls for the Supreme Court to direct the federal government to carry out the appointment process of the NADRA chief strictly in accordance with the law to ensure fairness and transparency.
The plea also added that during the pendency of this petition, the federal government should refrain from appointing any candidate who falls “foul” of Rule 5 of the NADRA Rules, 2020, as it stood prior to August 7, 2023.
The petitioner asserted that appointments in state institutions directly impact the fundamental rights of the people. He expressed concerns about the suspicious appointment of the NADRA chief. The petitioner argues that the amendment, which allows for the appointment of a serviceman as NADRA chief aims to benefit a particular individual. He called the Supreme Court to declare it null and void.
The petitioner noted that the previous federal government failed to appoint the NADRA chief within 60 days during its tenure. He added that issuing the interview notice on the federal government’s last day of the tenure was a violation of the Constitution.
The reported changes to the rules for the appointment of the NADRA head have raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the process.
