MNAs ‘interfering’ in unblocking CNICs
ISI fears non-existent internal accountability at NADRA could lead to issuance of fake ID papers
ISI fears non-existent internal accountability at NADRA could lead to issuance of fake ID papers. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
The counterterrorism and intelligence wing of the country’s premier spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has once again complained over the ‘non-existent internal system of accountability’ within NADRA, saying that the prevailing practice could lead to the issuance of fake national identity documents.
A recent correspondence between the sensitive agency’s C-Wing and the Ministry of Interior, suggests that the intelligence body is not happy with the ‘interference’ of MNAs in the technical issues involving clearance of CNICs of some 178,000 individuals. These CNICs were blocked on the recommendations of the agency and are in the process of clearance.
Mechanism fine-tuned to clear blocked CNICs
Last year, NADRA had launched country’s largest re-verification drive after agencies unearthed thousands of aliens, including foreign terrorists operating in Pakistan who had managed to obtain national identity documents by bribing the authority’s staffers.
As the drive against aliens was launched and their CNICs were blocked many individuals cried foul and claimed their CNICs were blocked on mere suspicion. The issue also caught the attention of Parliament, and a parliamentary committee was formed over the issue.
However, during deliberations between the parliamentarians and the authorities concerned it was decided to divide the 352,000 suspected CNICs into two categories. The first category included the CNICs which were routine cases and were blocked after they were reported by NADRA’s vigilance directorate; second category of blocked CNICs included complex cases which were blocked on the reports of spy agencies.
NADRA developing new SOP to ‘block' CNICs
During the meetings, a criterion was also defined by the parliamentary panel to clear complex cases. District level committees were formed which included MNAs of the district, a deputy commissioner/assistant political agent, district police officer, and representatives of ISI and Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Now, the ISI through a letter has said, “The internal system of accountability within NADRA is still non-existent and giving an open hand to regional and zonal offices with past record of malpractices leaves serious concerns regarding the possibility of issuing fake documents once again as well as tempering of data (family trees).”
It further reads, “Role of MNAs in district level committees shall be of monitoring and ensuring ease to the public without interfering in any technical domain or data re-verification process.” The letter suggests that the reservations of the ISI should be seriously considered to make the ongoing re-verification project a success.
No more CNICs will be blocked now: Nisar
It’s worth remembering that re-verification drive was initiated during former interior minister Nisar Ali Khan’s tenure and insiders claim the management is not pursuing it as vigorously as it used to.
Under the arrangement, the district level committees would clear complex cases if the applicant will provide one or more of the following documents; land record registered prior to 1978, domicile certificate issued prior to 1978, pedigree issued by the Revenue Department, government employee certificate of blood relative employed before 1990, verified educational certificates issued prior to 1978, passport issued prior to 1978 or any other document issued by the government of Pakistan prior to 1978, including arm license, driving license or manual national identity card.
The counterterrorism and intelligence wing of the country’s premier spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has once again complained over the ‘non-existent internal system of accountability’ within NADRA, saying that the prevailing practice could lead to the issuance of fake national identity documents.
A recent correspondence between the sensitive agency’s C-Wing and the Ministry of Interior, suggests that the intelligence body is not happy with the ‘interference’ of MNAs in the technical issues involving clearance of CNICs of some 178,000 individuals. These CNICs were blocked on the recommendations of the agency and are in the process of clearance.
Mechanism fine-tuned to clear blocked CNICs
Last year, NADRA had launched country’s largest re-verification drive after agencies unearthed thousands of aliens, including foreign terrorists operating in Pakistan who had managed to obtain national identity documents by bribing the authority’s staffers.
As the drive against aliens was launched and their CNICs were blocked many individuals cried foul and claimed their CNICs were blocked on mere suspicion. The issue also caught the attention of Parliament, and a parliamentary committee was formed over the issue.
However, during deliberations between the parliamentarians and the authorities concerned it was decided to divide the 352,000 suspected CNICs into two categories. The first category included the CNICs which were routine cases and were blocked after they were reported by NADRA’s vigilance directorate; second category of blocked CNICs included complex cases which were blocked on the reports of spy agencies.
NADRA developing new SOP to ‘block' CNICs
During the meetings, a criterion was also defined by the parliamentary panel to clear complex cases. District level committees were formed which included MNAs of the district, a deputy commissioner/assistant political agent, district police officer, and representatives of ISI and Intelligence Bureau (IB).
Now, the ISI through a letter has said, “The internal system of accountability within NADRA is still non-existent and giving an open hand to regional and zonal offices with past record of malpractices leaves serious concerns regarding the possibility of issuing fake documents once again as well as tempering of data (family trees).”
It further reads, “Role of MNAs in district level committees shall be of monitoring and ensuring ease to the public without interfering in any technical domain or data re-verification process.” The letter suggests that the reservations of the ISI should be seriously considered to make the ongoing re-verification project a success.
No more CNICs will be blocked now: Nisar
It’s worth remembering that re-verification drive was initiated during former interior minister Nisar Ali Khan’s tenure and insiders claim the management is not pursuing it as vigorously as it used to.
Under the arrangement, the district level committees would clear complex cases if the applicant will provide one or more of the following documents; land record registered prior to 1978, domicile certificate issued prior to 1978, pedigree issued by the Revenue Department, government employee certificate of blood relative employed before 1990, verified educational certificates issued prior to 1978, passport issued prior to 1978 or any other document issued by the government of Pakistan prior to 1978, including arm license, driving license or manual national identity card.