RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday said that for the first time in the history of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), its new chairman will be appointed on merit in a transparent manner.

Nisar said this while talking to mediapersons after a visit to the Nadra Headquarters. However, at the outset of the chat, the minister requested the media to confine to Nadra affairs, as many a journalist wanted the minister to respond to some pressing questions regarding the fresh wave of terror and the government plan to deal with militants.

Nisar said an advertisement has been sent to the Establishment Division for the appointment of new chairman. “None of the previous chairmen of the authority was appointed according to the sprit of Nadra Ordinance,” he said.

He said the previous two chairmen had political affiliations with PPP and were the appointees of former president Asif Ali Zardari. Decision in Nadra will not be taken on political grounds…. but according to rules and regulations purely on merit,” he said.

The minister said Nadra was functioning without a board for the last eight months and now its board has been set up, which presently consists of five members. “More professionals will be appointed in the board of management to help improve the performance of the organization,” he said.

Nisar said Nadra is an important and sensitive national institution and its board will keep an eye on the performance of the employees.

He said the most disturbing and worrisome thing for me is distortion and manipulation of sensitive record. “Distortion and manipulation of such record can destroy families and security system of the country,” he said.

The minister said anyone found involved in manipulation and distortion of the record under political pressure won’t be spared. He warned Nadra officials to correct their record within two weeks, otherwise, strict action will be taken against them, he said.

He said thousands of employees have been appointed during last few months without any advertisement and even informing the Ministry of interior. The Nadra is one of the most sensitive and important institutions, hence entry of foreigners banned, he added.

Nisar said that no official of Nadra is allowed to meet any foreigner in future without the prior permission of the top management and the Ministry of Interior.

He said Nadra is asset of the nation and added that billions of rupees have been spent on this institution by previous regimes. Due to efforts of Nadra employees, the authority is not in deficit, instead a profitable organisation.

He asked Nadra officers to bring transparency in their working and public dealing as it is one of the most sensitive institutions of the country.

To a question, he said that according to reports of the security agencies a large number of people have been appointed in Nadra without security clearance. A reference will be sent to Nadra board in this regard, he added.

Nisar told media that he had directed Nadra authorities to renovate the historic building, which was Pakistan’s first ‘legislative building’ as it was being used as a National Assembly of Pakistan earlier.

About reported threatening call to former Nadra chairman Tariq Malik, Nasir said after investigation it was revealed that Tariq did not receive any threatening call but a wrong caller had actually made the call to his daughter. “When he “Malik” was informed about the facts he also realised the misunderstanding in writing,” he said.

Earlier, chairman Nadra briefed the minister about the operational matters relating to the authority, including national registration programme, innovative utilisation of database as well as major national and international projects.