By Mazhar Tufail
ISLAMABAD: A senior officer of the National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra), whose contract expired earlier this month and was not granted an extension, has refused to relinquish charge of office, threatening to challenge his release order in a court of law, The News learnt here on Friday.
Colonel (retd) Zahid Iqbal, who has been refused an extension on completion of his contractual term on February 4, has written a letter to the personal staff officer of the Nadra chairman, informing him about his plan to move court against his release order, a senior Nadra official said on condition of anonymity.
In the letter, a copy of which was made available to The News, Colonel (retd) Zahid Iqbal stated that he was performing duties of chief project officer since August 12, 2009. He contended that by virtue of this appointment, he automatically became ex-post facto member of Nadra Board vice Section 3 of Chapter 2 of the ordinance and appointment duly approved by the prime minister.
According to the ordinance, Chairman and Member shall hold office for a term of three years and shall retire on attaining the age of sixty-five years. “When I was posted on this appointment five months ago, I was always under the impression that I have been posted for a complete tenure of a Member Board,” Colonel (retd) Zahid stated in his letter dated February 4 in response to the office order relieving him on expiry of contract.
Colonel (retd) Zahid Iqbal claimed that the Nadra chairman had promised him about 12 days ago that he would go through the rules and regulations in the ordinance and would take a fair decision.
“However, on February 1, 2010, he sought the legal advice of Nadra’s legal consultant Kundi and Kundi and did not share anything with me. To my surprise, I received a relieving order totally against the Nadra ordinance. I want to apprise you that my predecessor also served in this appointment as member of tenure of three years and 62 years of age,” he stated.
The officer said now he was free to knock the door of free and fair judiciary to seek justice and protect his rights by getting the interpretation of the Nadra ordinance. He stated that when courts could interpret the Constitution of Pakistan, then why not the Nadra ordinance?
“I have consulted my legal counsel and the court’s order will be conveyed to you on next working day Inshallah, which shall be acceptable to both parties. I will continue to perform my duties till the final decision of the court,” he concluded.
Source: Dawn
Date:2/13/2010
