Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Quetta has arrested three officials of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for allegedly issuing computerized national identity cards (CNICs) to foreign nationals, enabling them to obtain Pakistani passports and travel abroad illegally.
According to a report, the arrested officials include Anwar Shah from NADRA’s Quetta Regional Head Office, while Akhtar Shah and Khawaja Waqas, both Junior Executives from the Chaman Zone, have also been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the illegal issuance of identity documents.
FIA sources revealed that these officials were charging substantial amounts of money in exchange for providing CNICs to foreign nationals. Those individuals intended to use the illegally obtained Pakistani identity documents to secure passports and travel to Saudi Arabia under the guise of Pakistani citizens.
The matter surfaced after Saudi authorities detained several individuals who possessed CNICs and passports obtained through fraudulent means. Following their internal investigation, Saudi authorities formally notified Pakistani officials and shared related findings.
FIA investigators subsequently called several NADRA officers to record their statements. After initial questioning, the three implicated officials were detained for further investigation as authorities aim to uncover the full extent of the network facilitating this illegal activity.
