NADRA blocks Musharraf’s CNIC, passport on court orders

–Musharraf can conditionally file nomination papers, SC rules

–Top court summons former dictator on 13th, assures he will not be arrested

ISLAMABAD: Soon after the Supreme Court (SC) summoned former president Pervez Musharraf and ruled that he can conditionally file his nomination papers for the upcoming general elections, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on Thursday blocked the computerised national identity card (CNIC) and passport of the former military ruler, a private media outlet reported.

While Musharraf’s bank accounts have frozen as a result of his CNIC being blocked, the retired general has also been deprived of the right to sell more than 10 properties owned by him in the country.

According to the media outlet, the CNIC of the military ruler has not been blocked on the directives of the outgoing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, but solely on direct court orders.

Earlier in the day, a three-judge bench, headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, resumed the hearing of Musharraf’s review petition against his disqualification by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in 2013. The bench directed the former military ruler to appear before the court on June 13 at the top court’s Lahore registry.

“We will pass an order ensuring authorities do not arrest the former president before his appearance in court,” the CJP added.

To this, Musharraf’s counsel told court that the deadline was approaching for his client to file his nomination papers.

Justice Nisar remarked, “I will ask returning officers to accept Musharraf’s nomination papers but conditional to the final verdict on his appeal.”

Former president and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) chief Pervez Musharraf will contest the upcoming general elections from four constituencies, the party’s General Secretary Dr Muhammad Amjad confirmed. Musharraf has also decided to return to Pakistan after Eidul Fitr.

The PHC had announced lifetime disqualification for former president Pervez Musharraf prior to the 2013 general election. Musharraf had filed a plea in 2016 in the Supreme Court against PHC’s verdict.