JUI-F leader’s citizenship restored

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) yesterday restored citizenship of the Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazlur Rehman (JUI-F) firebrand leader and former senator Hafiz Hamdullah’s citizenship by suspending the National Database and Registration Authority’s (Nadra) decision of blocking his Pakistani citizenship card.

Last week, Nadra had declared Hamdullah an ‘alien’ after “finding that he had ‘fraudulently obtained’ his Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), which was subsequently cancelled.”

The matter was reported in media after the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a directive to TV channels forbidding them to invite or air the JUI-F leader’s comments or interview.

Good viewership

Hamdullah is seen as a firebrand leader of the Jamiat that has given a countrywide call for ‘Azadi March’ (Freedom March) tomorrow and is currently on way to the federal capital of Islamabad, mobilising masses in Punjab.

Hamdullah has been defending his party’s stance and its leadership in TV talk shows and enjoys quite a good viewership. After Nadra’s decision was conveyed to him last week, Hamdullah had announced to challenge that in the IHC.

Yesterday, as Chief Justice of the IHC, Justice Athar Minallah, took up the case for hearing, Nadra officials appeared before the court and submitted that Hamdullah was first told through a letter that his CNIC had been blocked.

Hafiz Hamdullah is seen as a firebrand leader of the Jamiat that has given a countrywide call for ‘Azadi March’ (Freedom March) tomorrow and he is currently on his way to the federal capital of Islamabad, mobilising masses in Punjab.