The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Multan Zone has arrested two NADRA Bahawalpur office officials, Shahzad Ahmed and Asif Bashir, for allegedly issuing national identity cards to Afghan nationals.
Officials said the FIA took both men into custody during an operation in Bahawalpur. A case has been registered against them under the NADRA Ordinance and the relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The arrests follow similar FIA actions against NADRA staff in recent months. On October 1, the Counter Terrorism Wing of the FIA arrested NADRA Assistant Director Aftab for allegedly taking Rs120 million to restore cancelled CNICs of Afghan nationals.
The cards of 51 Afghan citizens were allegedly restored, and investigators said he used part of the money to buy plots in Havelian and G-15 sector in Islamabad. The FIA recovered Rs1.9 million in cash from his residence.
On July 22, the FIA arrested four suspects in Karachi: NADRA Assistant Director Imamul Haq, Deputy Assistant Director Fayyaz Ahmed, watchman Junaid Ahmed and private agent Muhammad Umar Shah.
They were accused of issuing fraudulent identity documents to Afghan nationals and tampering with official records. Preliminary investigations also identified alleged links between the network and militant elements.
In June, the FIA arrested four NADRA officials in Charsadda, including Assistant Director Waqar Ahmad, for allegedly issuing CNICs illegally to Afghan nationals.