The federal cabinet has given its nod to the appointment of an in-service army officer as permanent chairman of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday, quoting its sources.

The approval was given for appointment of Lt-General Munir Afsar as NADRA chairman for three years. The federal cabinet also approved including of a relevant rule regarding appointment of an in-service officer as NADRA chairman, the sources said.

The previous caretaker government had 2 October last year appointed Lt-General Munir Afsar as NADRA chairman till further orders.

The sources further divulged that the federal cabinet gave its consent to the interior ministry’s summary through circulation.

The appointment and relevant rules originally made by the caretaker government needed to be endorsed by the new elected government.

Under Election Act, appointment made under Section 230 is considered for a brief period.

Now the federal government has okayed adding Rule 7A to the NADRA Rules 2020, under which an in-service officer can be appointed as NADRA chairman in national interest, provided he or she does not hold a post lower than Grade 21.

Lt-General Munir Afsar holds an MPhil in Public Policy and National Security Management and has authored a research paper on public policy responses within the GIS sector during the 2010 floods.

Furthermore, General Afsar holds an MS in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. His outstanding work in this field earned him the prestigious Presidential Award for his thesis, which focused on the rapid creation of geographic data through photometry.

He has also completed his MS in National Resource Strategy, specialising in C&IT Industry and Supply Chain Management, at NDU Washington, DC, where he was recognised as a distinguished graduate.

Reporter Awais Kiyani