NADRA Officials Dismissed After Data Breach Affects 2.7 Million Citizens

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior has been informed of the dismissal of several officials from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) following a significant data breach that exposed the personal information of 2.7 million Pakistani citizens.

The NADRA Chairman reported that a Grade-19 officer and five other staff members were terminated as a result of the breach. However, concerns were raised during the meeting regarding the lack of action against some key figures. Agha Rafiullah, a committee member, observed that the individuals culpable for the violation were not only retained in their positions but were also promoted to more senior positions.

During the committee meeting, chaired by Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, the NADRA Chairman emphasized the agency’s challenges in expanding its operations, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan due to insufficient funding, during the committee meeting. He also observed that the cost of issuing Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) could be elevated by the establishment of new locations in 61 tehsils.

NADRA’s current budget is Rs 57 billion, with a significant 87% allocated to employee salaries. Additionally, the organization is investing in 90 new mobile wagons, which are outfitted with satellite technology, to enhance registration services in rural regions.

The authority disclosed that 60 officers had been terminated within the previous five years and reported a workforce of 20,577 employees. NADRA’s revenue has grown significantly, from Rs 23.55 billion in 2019-20 to Rs 57 billion in 2023-24, despite the obstacles. During the 2024-25 fiscal year, Karachi is in the process of enhancing its services by establishing four Mega NRCs and one new National Registration Centre (NRC).

Furthermore, the committee reviewed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which pertains to electricity larceny and wrongful invoicing. The committee instructed the Ministry to make provisions for the submission of FIRs against responsible employees and distribution companies in the event of billing errors and larceny.

The Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) provided a detailed account of the ongoing investigations into multiple Overseas Employment Promoters who were implicated in smuggling offences, which included additional discussions regarding the Human Smuggling Networks.

The committee underscored the necessity of additional NADRA facilitation centres at the Tehsil level across the country and addressed the persistent obstacles associated with security, funding, and the efficient delivery of services in response to the increasing demand for documentation services.