The government is yet to appoint a full-time chairman of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), on a post lying vacant since January 10, 2014. The last NADRA chairman Tariq Malik resigned on January 10 and since then the government has not made an appointment against this highly important vacant slot. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on January 24 told media that government would soon appoint a new NADRA chief on merit in a transparent manner but so far sources revealed the government had not initiated the process to appoint a new NADRA chairman, sources said.
The delay in the appointment of NADRA chairman is causing administrative problems and negatively impacting on the performance of the Authority. Danyal Gilani, Director Media Ministry of Interior, told Business Recorder that Interior Ministry had sent the requirements for the post (RFP) to Prime Minister's Secretariat for a final approval.
He said the Prime Minister would form a special committee in light of Supreme Court directives. After final approval, the Prime Minister's Secretariat would send a request to a special committee and then the committee would appoint the most eligible candidate after interviewing the short-listed applicants who applied for the post.
Sources said that a human resource firm of international repute would assist the committee formed by the Prime Minister for the appointment of NADRA chief. According to NADRA ordinance, a chairman should 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. Imtiaz Tajwar, additional secretary, BPS 21, of Interior Ministry, has been given the additional charge of NADRA chairman after the resignation of Malik.
Malik was sacked by the government without any notice on December 2, 2013 but was restored the following day on the orders of IHC. However, he resigned on January 10, citing an 'indifferent' attitude of the government. The government constituted the NADRA board for running its affairs under the NADRA Ordinance, 2000. The term of previous board expired in April, 2013. The members of the newly-constituted NADRA board include Hamid Ali Khan, additional secretary, Kazim Niaz secretary government of Balochistan local government department Quetta, Dr Jawad A. Ghani Professor of Strategy and Marketing Research, Naviad H. Malik entrepreneur, Fareed Ahmed Khan, Senior Executive, Banking & Financial Services and Chairman NADRA. Under Section 3 (Sub Section III) of NADRA Ordinance is the chairman of the board.