ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court Monday ‘restored’ Nadra chief Tariq Malik whose sacking was earlier stayed by the court but he chose to resign from the office meanwhile.
Announcing the short judgment, Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi nullified both the notifications of federal government dated 2-12-2013 through which it had removed Malik from the slot of National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) chairman and appointed Brig (r) Zahid Hussain as acting chairman.
Tariq Malik resigned from the office a few days ago on January 10, 2014. A single bench of IHC had reserved this verdict on December 13, 2013 while it announced the same here on Monday.
On the last hearing on Dec 13, federation’s counsel Akram Sheikh had taken the stance that the previous government appointed Malik in violation of rules and procedure. He informed the court that Tariq Malik was previously appointed GM Networks the same day he had applied for the job.
Sheikh also said that Malik went on 117 foreign visits without the approval of the competent authority, he added. He added that Tariq Malik was getting Rs2.1 million as monthly salary that is higher than the salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Tariq Malik’s counsel Babar Sattar advocate counter argued that the appointment of his client was made in accordance with the Nadra Ordinance. He added that the ordinance does not lay down any procedural requirements for the appointment of a chairman however Section 3(7) requires that the chairman is to be “an eminent professional of known integrity and competence with substantial experience in the field of computer science, engineering, statistics, demography, law, business management, finance, accounting, economics, civil or military administration or the field of registration.”
Babar told the court his client fulfils all criterion regarding professional competence that is evident from his resume as his professional excellence is duly recognised by many institutions and there were also awards bestowed upon him.
APPEAL AGAINST RASHID’S
REINSTATEMENT
Agencies add:On the other hand, the federal government on Monday filed an intra-court appeal in the Islamabad High Court against the reinstatement of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairperson Chaudhry Rashid Ahmed.
The federal government had dismissed Ahmed on Dec 15, but the IHC had granted a stay against this removal. Ahmed was appointed as Pemra chairperson on Jan 26, 2013 by the Pakistan Peoples Party government.
The incumbent government on Dec 15 terminated his contract and appointed Tehsin Ali Khan, an executive member of Pemra, as acting chairperson. On Dec 26, 2013, the IHC restored Ahmed and disposed of the case after hearing arguments from all the parties. The court also nullified the appointment of Tehsin as acting chairperson of the authority.