The Lahore High Court (LHC) has reinstated Lieutenant General Munir Afsar as the Chairman of the National Database and Regulatory Authority (NADRA), overturning a prior ruling by a single-member bench that had nullified his appointment.
The decision came on Tuesday after the federal government, through the Attorney General, filed a plea challenging the earlier verdict that had questioned the legitimacy of Afsar’s appointment.
A two-member bench, led by Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, heard the appeal and ruled in favor of reinstating Munir Afsar. The court’s decision nullified the previous ruling and restored him to his position. Additionally, the court issued notices to the respondents in the case, asking them to submit their responses.
Background of the Appointment
Lt Gen Munir Afsar’s appointment as NADRA chairman took place on October 2, 2022, following the resignation of his predecessor, Tariq Malik. The federal cabinet, acting on the recommendation of the Ministry of Interior, approved Afsar’s appointment after shortlisting him from three candidates proposed by a selection committee. The committee had carefully reviewed the qualifications and experience of the candidates before finalizing the list.
The appointment was significant given the importance of NADRA, which manages Pakistan’s national identity database, voter registration system, and other key functions related to governance and security. Following the approval of his appointment by the cabinet, Munir Afsar assumed office to oversee the organization’s operations.
However, his appointment was later challenged, leading to a ruling by a single-member bench of the LHC, which nullified the decision. This prompted the federal government to file an appeal, resulting in the current ruling that reinstated him as chairman.
The federal government, represented by the Attorney General, challenged the single-member bench’s ruling, arguing that the appointment of Munir Afsar had followed all necessary legal and procedural protocols. The government maintained that the selection process was transparent, with the selection committee rigorously evaluating all potential candidates before submitting their recommendations to the cabinet.
In its appeal, the government stressed the importance of maintaining stability at NADRA, citing the crucial role the organization plays in national security and governance. The appeal also emphasized the potential for administrative disruptions if Afsar’s appointment was not restored, given NADRA’s significant responsibilities.
The court’s decision to reinstate Munir Afsar as NADRA chairman brings clarity to a situation that had raised concerns about the appointment process for high-level positions in key public sector organizations. NADRA, with its responsibilities tied to national identity management and database security, requires stable and competent leadership to function effectively.
With Lieutenant General Munir Afsar back in charge, the federal government aims to ensure that NADRA continues its critical work without disruption. The restoration of his appointment signals the court’s acknowledgment of the procedural soundness of the appointment process and provides the organization with the stability it needs to execute its mandate.
NADRA plays a pivotal role in managing Pakistan’s national database system, including identity verification, voter registration, and providing services for various government programs. Its work is central to ensuring the integrity of electoral processes, maintaining a secure national database, and supporting law enforcement with accurate information.
The appointment of leadership at NADRA is always closely watched due to the sensitive nature of its work. The selection of a chairman is particularly important, as the organization requires a leader capable of managing both its administrative and security-related functions. With Lieutenant General Munir Afsar at the helm, the government expects NADRA to continue delivering on its mandate with the efficiency and reliability that the role demands.
