ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday suspended National Database and Registration Authority's (Nadra) decision to cancel the citizenship of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader and former senator Maulana Hafiz Hamdullah.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition filed against the cancellation of JUI-F leader's citizenship.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah inquired whether Maulana Hamdullah's kids also have Pakistani National Identity Card (NIC)?

To this, Nadra's counsel replied that Hamdullah was first told through a letter in 2018 about his citizenship issue and a committee was formed. Hamdullah appeared before the committee where he was asked to present documents, which later turned out to be bogus, the counsel added.

After hearing the arguments, the court suspended Nadra's decision to cancel Hamidullah’s citizenship and sought response from it within two weeks.

The IHC in its order said neither Nadra nor the interior ministry should take any action against Hamdullah.

The court also suspended Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority's (Pemra) notification thwarting TV channels from inviting him.