Saqib Jamal | Legal Expert | Advocate High Court

Advocate High Courts

Professional Summary

Mr. Saqib Jamal is a distinguished Advocate of Pakistan with over two decades of extensive experience in constitutional, administrative, election, and public law. As the senior-most lawyer defending the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), he has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the Authority’s interests across the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Supreme Court of AJ&K and Supreme Appellate Court, Gilgit-Baltistan, seven provincial High Courts, and multiple judicial forums nationwide. His legal acumen spans high-profile litigation, legislative drafting, policy formulation, and institutional capacity building, making him a cornerstone in Pakistan’s legal and administrative framework.

Key Achievements & Landmark Cases

- Supreme Court Representation:
  Mr. Jamal, being head of legal, has been the principal Law Officer defending NADRA before the Supreme Court, drafting briefs, and submitting legal opinions with the approval of the competent authority

- Key cases include:
  - - Election Matters of 2013: Successfully represented NADRA in Usman Dar Election Case (2017 SCMR 292).
  - - Marriage Registration of Hindu Lady: Landmark case on minority rights (2012 SCMR 1147).
  - - Human Rights Cell Case (Unknown Parentage): Represented NADRA in the famous Abdus Sataar Edhi case concerning children with unknown parentage.
  - - Inquiry Commission on General Elections 2013: Provided expert legal assistance during the Supreme Court inquiry.
  - - Suo-Motu Cases: Defended NADRA in cases on dual nationality (PLD 2019 SC 133) and registration of Christian marriages, ensuring inclusivity and legality.
  - - Service Law Matters: Defended NADRA’s classification of its service relationship in Maj (R) Tanveer Abbas case (2019 SCMR 984).
  - - Regularization Cases: Successfully defended NADRA’s decisions in 2017 (2017 SCMR 1979).

- Federal Shariat Court:
  Assisted in defending NADRA’s interests in sensitive cases involving unknown parentage and transgender rights, including the landmark case (PLD 2023 SC 301), advancing social justice jurisprudence.

- Representation & Supervision of cases before High Courts :
  Provided legal supervision and representation in Islamabad, Lahore, Sindh, Peshawar, Balochistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan High Courts. Notable cases:
  - - Defended Chairman NADRA’s appointment (PLD 2014 Islamabad 38).
  - - Defended Maj (R) Tanveer Abbas termination case in Karachi High Court (2020 PLC (CS) 67).
  - - Successfully challenged illegal union registrations declared null and void in Sindh (2019 PLC 167) and Balochistan High Courts (2014 PLC 351).
  - - Represented NADRA in sensitive religious identity cases like the Allah Wasaya case (PLD 2019 62 Islamabad).
  - - Actively defended NADRA in election cases filed in various Election Tribunal upto Supreme Court and supported election tribunals with verification report vetting during General Elections 2013.

Legislative Drafting & Legal Reforms

- NADRA Ordinance & Rules Amendments:
  Played a central role in drafting and securing numerous legislative amendments and regulatory rules to enhance NADRA’s legal framework, including:
  - - Amendments to Section 3(3), 3(5), 13, 30, 31, and 41-A of the NADRA Ordinance (2000).
  - - Comprehensive drafting of NIC Rules (2002) amendments encompassing Rule 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, and associated Schedules with revisions up to 2018.
  - - Multiple amendments to POC Rules (2002) and Application for NIC Regulations (2002), ensuring compliance with federal government requirements.
  - - Drafted Alien Registration Rules (2021) along with current amendments.
  - - Formulated/drafted rules on digital marking under Section 18 of NADRA Ordinance (2000), in compliance of Lahore High Court’s directives.
  - - Drafted rules on appointment and emoluments of Chairman and Members (2020).

- Succession & Citizenship Laws:
  Assisted Ministry of Law and provinces in drafting and amending succession acts and rules for Islamabad Capital Territory and other provinces. Drafted amendments to the Foreigners Act (1946) and citizenship rules, notably empowering the Registrar General of Pakistan with authority on citizenship certificates for persons of former East Pakistan and ambiguous citizenship cases.

- Other Legislative Contributions:
  - - Drafted ordinance for deletion of Section 14-D in the merger of NARA with NADRA.
  - - Provided expert inputs and drafted amendments in Citizenship Rules (1952), facilitating legal clarity and administrative authority in citizenship matters.

Institutional Development & Legal Department Leadership

- Legal Directorate Establishment at NADRA:
  Founded and structured the Legal Directorate to manage the growing legal challenges faced by NADRA. Responsibilities included:
  - - Recruitment of legal officers via rigorous competitive processes (written test and interview).
  - - Drafting and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for legal workflows.
  - - Successful introduction and operationalization of the Legal Case Management System (LCMS).
  - - Coordination with Director Generals (more than ten during tenure), providing legal advisory on all fronts regardless of the DG’s professional background.

- Disciplinary Proceedings & Trainings:
  Conducted numerous workshops on disciplinary law, vetted thousands of inquiries, charge sheets, show cause notices, and appellate hearings. Supported departmental appeals and contributed to the enhancement of internal governance.

- Contracts & Agreements:
  Drafted and vetted hundreds of contracts, MOUs, Non-Disclosure Agreements, and other legal instruments protecting NADRA’s interests in diverse operational and commercial transactions.

Human Rights & Public Interest Advocacy

- Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives:
  Successfully spearheaded the stoppage of human trafficking of minors from Gilgit-Baltistan by initiating a suo-motu application to the Supreme Appellate Court of GB, resulting in landmark directives regulating foreign adoptions (GBLR 38 SAC GB).

- Community Legal Engagement:
  Organized and conducted jirgas in Mohmand Agency to address tribal verification issues in collaboration with Political Agents, aiding courts in tribal areas with limited formal institutional capacity.

Academic Background

- Master of Laws (LL.M.), Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law (SZABUL)
  Awarded on merit scholarship, Mr. Jamal’s thesis focused on “Citizenship Laws of Pakistan: Its Shortcomings and Solutions,” proposing comprehensive legal reforms. His research influenced two significant amendments in Pakistan Citizenship Rules regarding rules 13-A and 24, now implemented at the federal level.

Core Competencies

- High Court Litigation and Appeals

- Constitutional, Administrative, and Public Law

- Immigration, Citizenship and Refugee Law

- NADRA Laws

- Succession and Guardianship Laws

- Election Law and Voter Verification Disputes

- Legislative Drafting & Regulatory Reforms

- Institutional Legal Governance & Compliance

- Disciplinary Proceedings and Administrative Law

- Human Rights and Minority Protections

- Contract Drafting and Legal Documentation

- Legal Capacity Building and Policy Development

Professional Ethos

Mr. Saqib Jamal exemplifies unwavering dedication to justice, institutional integrity, and legal excellence. His multifaceted expertise empowers him to bridge the gap between legal theory and practical governance, enabling Pakistan’s key institutions to navigate complex legal landscapes effectively. Through strategic litigation, legislative reform, and organizational leadership, Mr. Jamal continues to be a catalyst for legal advancement and social equity in Pakistan.