News
Friday, September 16, 2011
SC seeks details of CINCs issued to Bahria Town employees
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to submit the details of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) which have been issued from its Sawan Garden Office in NA-52 constituency to Bahria Town employees.
The court also sought details from NADRA pertaining to its mobile registration vans’ operation throughout the country.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, heard suo motu regarding issuance of CNICs to Bahria Town employees by changing their temporary addresses in order to influence the election process in NA-52.
During the hearing, Afnan Kundi, the counsel for NADRA, stated that NADRA had closed down its Sawan Garden Office situated in the jurisdiction of Bahria Town. He requested the court to adjourn the case, as Raza Kazim, a senior counsel for NADRA, was not present in the court. Meanwhile, the court, while accepting his plea, directed NADRA to submit details of the CNICs which were issued from that office until October 2.
It is relevant to mention that the petitioners, Muhammad Rashid Hashmi and others, alleged that favour was extended to Malik Riaz, owner of Bahria Town, by providing facility of mobile van and permanent platform within the territory of Bahria Town. Hashmi alleged that the purpose of preparing the CNICs, particularly by changing temporary addresses of his employees, was to influence election process. He said the housing society intended to prepare 20,000 CNICs, but so far made 4,100 cards. However, Chief Administrative Officer Dr Tahir Akram told the bench that NADRA issued only 2,000 CNIC from that area.
During the last hearing, Raza Kazim informed the court that the authority dealt with huge data and had international reputation. He said that NADRA was not in collusion with Malik Riaz or anyone else and that the accusations have polluted its name. The counsel stated that NADRA was conducting an inquiry into the matter and if any officer were found guilty of wrongdoing, he/she would be punished. The chief justice remarked that NADRA was a national institution and it should work in accordance with law without any fear or favour.
It is relevant to mention that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Opposition leader in the National Assembly, had claimed that Malik Riaz was orchestrating a smear campaign against him in Rawalpindi, political bastion of the opposition leader that has remained unchallenged ever since his rise to prominence.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk