Three NADRA officials held on charges of issuing CNIC to Afghan nationals

WEB DESK: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested three senior officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) over their alleged involvement in issuing Pakistani national identity cards (CNICs) to Afghan nationals through fraudulent means.

The arrested officials were identified as Additional Director Shoaib Ahmed, Deputy Director Rameez Raza and Kot Addu NADRA Service Centre Superintendent Naveed Aslam. According to the FIA, the suspects allegedly facilitated the issuance of CNICs by adding Afghan nationals to Pakistani family records.

FIA launches investigation

The arrests were made during an operation carried out by the FIA Multan Circle under the supervision of Assistant Director Yasir Khattak on the instructions of FIA Multan Zone Director Ata-ur-Rehman.

The agency said the officials were taken into custody on allegations of illegally processing and approving identity documents for Afghan nationals in violation of the law.

Case registered under multiple laws

An FIR has been registered against the suspects under the Foreigners Act, the NADRA Ordinance, relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and anti-corruption laws.

The accused have been shifted to the FIA Multan Circle for further investigation, where authorities are expected to examine the extent of the alleged network and identify any additional individuals involved in the case.