IHC restores Hamdullah's citizenship.

Byline: SHAHID RAO

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday suspended National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) decision to cancel the citizenship of JUI-F's former senator Maulana Hafiz Hamdullah.

A single bench of the IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing of a petition filed by the JUI-F leader against the cancellation of his citizenship.

In his petition, Hamdullah challenged the order dated October 11 passed by the NADRA and the order dated October 26 by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

During the hearing, his counsel Kamran Murtaza Advocate informed the court that his client was born in Balochistan and father of the petitioner holds a CNIC as well as other family members.

He told the IHC bench that the children of the petitioner also hold CNICs and one of them is serving in the Armed Forces of Pakistan. He added that the petitioner was elected as Senator and also as member of the provincial assembly of Balochistan.

Nadra, Pemra orders passed without lawful authority, court told

The counsel contended that the NADRA has no powers to adjudicate upon the citizenship of a citizen which otherwise has to be dealt with under the...