Is the PML-N falling back to its old tactics?
After so many professions of devotion to democracy and principled politics the PML-N ministers are never tired of making, the episode looks like a descent into bathos. If the order to remove NADRA chairman was aimed at covering up illegalities, it has simply backfired. The attempt to dismiss the head of a statutory body through an office order underlines that the PML-N government must have been in dire straits to go for a desperate measure. When Tariq Malik sent a missive to the National Crisis Management Cell about a threatening letter he had received, also providing the details of those from whose cell phones similar calls had been made to him, one hoped the government would act apace against those who were pressurising the NADRA chief. In fact this is what it should have done if its hands were clean. In case the media reports regarding certain government leaders summoning Tariq Malik a day before the orders were issued are correct, this would show that they knew that a certain PML-N candidate could be disqualified for election malpractices and wanted the NADRA chief to protect him. That he was subsequently fired indicates that he had resisted the pressure.
The database authority was working on verification of thumb impressions in 11 constituencies. Malik’s sacking came only days after an election tribunal asked NADRA to verify the thumb impressions of voters from NA-118, won by PML-N candidate Muhammad Malik Riaz. Some other constituencies of top PML-N leaders were also reportedly in line, including that of National Assembly speaker’s. The incident is likely to open a can of worms. The establishment division must have known that it was issuing an illegal order. If it still went for it, it must have done so under extreme pressure from the higher echelons of government. The incident proves that attempts by the SC to make bureaucracy act in accordance with law and ignore orders that were in its violation have not been fully imbibed and followed in letter and spirit.
The PPP and PTI have condemned the removal of the NADRA chairman and called upon the Election Commission to take action. In case the EC remains a silent spectator, this will give birth to more questions. There is a need for a thorough and transparent probe by NADRA into the election results of the disputed constituencies. If this is not done properly, questions raised soon after the elections by the PPP and PTI about the mandate obtained by the PML-N are likely to gain credence.
