ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led coalition government is pressuring National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) Chairman Tariq Malik to resign ahead of the general election so that it could manipulate election results, reliable sources told We News.
The NADRA, an independent and autonomous agency under the interior secretary, regulates government databases and statistically manages the sensitive registration database of all citizens of Pakistan.
“Those in power are bent upon stealing the next election as they cannot afford the return of the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) to power under any circumstances,” said the sources, adding that for this purpose, they are trying to bring persons of their choice to the key departments such as the NADRA that plays an important role in releasing the number of registered voters, the number of constituencies and in conducting elections.
Tariq Malik has a track record of being an upright and straightforward officer. Under him, it will be difficult for the government to use NADRA in its favor. The sources said this is why the government wants to replace the NADRA Chairman to achieve its vested interests.
The sources said the government itself could also remove him, but it wants Tariq Malik to resign voluntarily so that there is no hue and cry on the matter. “ Tariq Malik has so far not made any decision, but he has to do so in a matter of few days given the pressure on him,” the sources added.
Role of NADRA in electoral exercise
Highlighting the importance of NADRA in the whole electoral exercise, the sources said that NADRA provides all the technical support to the ECP in the conduct of elections, including in the preparation of electoral rolls and the preparation of the Result Transmission System.
These sources were of the view that the importance of NADRA will further increase manifold provided the overseas Pakistanis are given the right to franchise in the next general elections as all the technical support in this regard will be provided by this institution.
To Tariq Malik’s credit are many important projects, as it is because of his tireless efforts that NADRA has emerged as a global leader in the industry of IT solution providers.
It was because of his work that his name was included in the World’s 100 Most Influential Persons in ‘Digital Government’ by a European think tank known as Apolitical.
Malik was also named among the Top 100 Digital Influencers in the ‘Digital Community’ by One World Identity (OWI), a New York-based independent identity research and strategy think tank focused on cyber security, digital commerce, and risk management. Result-based achievements earned him various national and international awards.
