The Lahore High Court restrained Interior Minister from chairing National Database and Registration Authority's (NADRA)'s board meetings and suspended appointments of its two members.

The court passed this order in a petition challenging alleged illegal appointments of eight members of the authority. The petitioner's counsel, Ahmad Pansota argued that eight members were inducted in the authority in violation of rules and regulations.

He said the government was bound to publish advertisements in national dailies regarding these appointments but it did not.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar was holding board meetings of NADRA despite the fact that NADRA Ordinance does not allow him, said the counsel.

He said such political interference was curbing the independence of NADRA. He also alleged that the Deputy Chairman NADRA was also appointed on political grounds; who was harassing the NADRA officials.

The court therefore barred the Deputy Chairman NADRA from working till the next date of hearing.

-Business Recorder