ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) sought a report from theinterior secretary about a matter related to issuance of a nationalidentity card to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani directed the interior ministry to submit thereport after consultation with the foreign affairs secretary.

The high court issued the order while hearing a petition filed by MQM,seeing issuance of National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)to Altaf Hussain.

A legal adviser for the National Database and Registration Authorityinformed the court that Alfaf Hussain’s profile is missing in its record.

There is a probability that the last NICOP was issued before theestablishment of NADRA.

The court said it was regrettable that Altaf Hussain’s applicant forissuance of NICOP and renewal of his passport is pending since 2014.

The interior ministry informed the court that the MQM founder’s identitycard and passport were blocked on the orders of an anti-terrorism court.

Later, the court sought a report from the interior ministry and adjournedthe case till October 26.