In rare verdict, Pakistan court orders removal of serving army general

In a rare verdict, A Pakistani court has ordered the removal of lieutenant general Munir Afsar on Friday, a serving general of Pakistan army, from his position as chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

The Lahore high court ruled that Afsar's appointment was unauthorised and violated existing rules.

The decision to annul Afsar's appointment came after a petition was filed by a citizen, Ashba Kamran.

Afsar, who became the first serving military officer to head Nadra in October 2023, was initially appointed by a caretaker government and his term was later confirmed by the federal government for a three-year period lasting until 2027.

Kamran's petition argued that Afsar's appointment contravened the Nadra Ordinance, 2000, and did not follow a fair and competitive process by inviting eligible candidates to apply. Justice Asim Hafiz, who delivered the verdict, noted that the process was illegal.

"Lest anyone misunderstand this, we make it clear that the appointment to any post under the government can only be made after a proper advertisement has been made, inviting applications from eligible candidates. Without holding a proper selection where all eligible candidates get a fair chance to compete would violate the guarantee enshrined under Articles 18 and 27 of the Constitution," Hafiz said.

"I am afraid that illegality committed by way of an unauthorized appointment, one cannot hide the elephant in a mouse-hole," the judge added.

The ruling is considered unusual given the powerful role the Pakistan army has traditionally played in the country, including periods of military rule in its more than 75 years of existence.

Experts say the high court's decision might be seen as a setback for those who support the current regime, as the military often seeks to place its personnel in major civil positions.