Two employees working at the NADRA office in Bahawalpur, Shahzad Ahmed and Asif Bashir, were taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency Multan Zone for reportedly producing national identity cards for Afghan citizens.
Authorities stated that agents detained the pair during a raid in Bahawalpur. Authorities filed a case against the suspects using charges from the NADRA Ordinance, specific provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
These apprehensions come after previous agency crackdowns on NADRA personnel over the past few months. Agents from the Counter Terrorism Wing of the agency detained NADRA Assistant Director Aftab on October 1 over claims he accepted Rs120 million to reactivate revoked CNICs belonging to Afghan nationals.
Authorities reported that 51 Afghan citizens had their cards reactivated, and investigators claimed the suspect used a portion of the funds to purchase real estate plots located in Havelian and the G-15 sector of Islamabad. Agents found Rs1.9 million in cash at his home during a search.
Four individuals were detained in Karachi on July 22 by the agency, including NADRA Assistant Director Imamul Haq, Deputy Assistant Director Fayyaz Ahmed, watchman Junaid Ahmed, and private agent Muhammad Umar Shah.
The group faced accusations of producing fake identity papers for Afghan nationals and altering official database records. Early inquiries also uncovered suspected connections between the ring and militant groups.
Agency personnel detained four NADRA staff members in Charsadda during June, which included Assistant Director Waqar Ahmad, for reportedly providing CNICs unlawfully to Afghan nationals.
