Lahore High Court nullifies appointment of NADRA Chairman Lt Gen Munir Afsar

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday declared the appointment of Lt. General Munir Afsar as the Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) null and void.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the decision came after Justice Asim Hafeez approved a petition filed by Ashba Kamran challenging the appointment.

On March 29, 2024, the federal cabinet approved the appointment of Lt General Munir Afsar as the permanent Chairman of NADRA for three years. The decision included amending NADRA Rules 2020 to allow the appointment of an in-service army officer, provided the officer does not hold a post lower than Grade 21.

Lt General Munir Afsar, who holds an MPhil in Public Policy and National Security Management, and an MS in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, was recognized for his distinguished work, including his contribution during the 2010 floods and his expertise in National Resource Strategy.

The appointment, made by the previous caretaker government on October 2, was meant to be endorsed by the elected government. However, the High Court’s decision has now invalidated the appointment, raising questions about the adherence to legal protocols in the appointment process.

Reporter: Malik Ashraf