Apex Court orders NADRA to unblock Musharraf’s NIC, passport

LAHORE: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) directed the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Monday to unblock the national identity card (NIC) and passport of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing the case pertaining to former military ruler’s return to Pakistan.

NADRA Chairperson Usman Mubeen told the court that former military general could not return to Pakistan, since his NIC was blocked. On which, Chief Justice remarked that the apex court had given the protection to Pervez Musharraf until his return to Pakistan that he will not be arrested from the airport to the court then blocking his NIC can only hinder the process of his return.

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“Musharraf should come back and face the cases against him,” top judge added.

The top court also ordered to constitute a tribunal within two days for the former president’s trial.

On June 9, NADRA blocked the computerized national identity card (CNIC) of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, upon the request of the ministry of interior.

During the last hearing of the treason case against him, Musharraf was ordered to inform about the date of his return to country. The CNIC blockage orders were issued by the court due to failure in informing the court of the date of his return to Pakistan.

The Interior Ministry had granted a week to the former military ruler cautioning him that his CNIC and passport would be blocked if he did not surrender within a week.